Role of Education: Marxism

Question 1

Karl Marx’s two main social groups:

Answer 1

The ruling class has power over the subject class in Western society because they own the means of production.
The ruling class = bourgeoisie
The subject class = proletariat

Question 2

What did Louis Althusser (1971) say the main role of education was?

Answer 2

He said that the main role of education in a capitalist society is the reproduction of an obedient labour force. This involves two aspects: the reporduction of necessary technical skills AND the reproduction of ruling class ideology and the socialisation of workers into accepting it- false consciousness (prevents from rebelling against exploitation.)

Question 3

What is an ideological state apparatus?

Answer 3

Louis Althusser- It justifies the capitalist system through education as it reinforces and transmits dominant ideologies or beliefs about society. It’s the way ruling classes maintain power by shaping people’s values into ones that match theirs.

Question 4

What did Althusser think about meritocracy?

Answer 4

It does not exist- it is a myth. People are socialised into groups based on their class and the lower classes are socialised to accept their rank and to not rebel against it as they are in a state of false consciousness.

Question 5

What did Bowels and Gintis believe the main role of education is?

Answer 5

Reproduction of an obedient labour force through the hidden curriculum of schooling and the correspondence between school and work.

Question 6

What book did Bowels and Gintis write about the role of education?

Answer 6

“Schooling in Capitalist America” (1976)

Question 7

What did Ivan Illich (1995) believe?

Answer 7

Schools are repressive institutions which promote conformity and encourage passive acceptance as students are not encouraged to be critical or to think for themselves.
Schools reward those who accept the regime with qualifications and better jobs. Those who question the authority of teachers or the relevance of schooling are excluded from progress in education and therefore in work.

Question 8

What does Illich believe would be a solution to schooling?

Answer 8

He believed we should abolish schooling.

Question 9

Who agreed with Illich?

Answer 9

Friere (1996) also sees schools as repressive- learners are conditioned to obey and defer to teachers.

Question 10

What are schools essential for?

Answer 10

Producing hegemony- the dominance and acceptance in society of the ruling class’ set of ideals.