Seminar 2, Inequalities Flashcards
(15 cards)
What values did Barbès assume his readers had?
Equality, especially in terms of labour and capital
Barbès wrote with the assumption that his readers valued equality among different social classes.
What was Barbès’ primary audience?
Religious readers
Barbès specifically targeted an audience that held religious beliefs.
What misconception did Barbès believe his audience would have regarding the proletariat’s wishes?
That the wishes of the proletarian would hinder the bourgeoisie’s wants
Barbès argued this belief was false and that equality served the interests of society as a whole.
How did Marx and Engels’ approach to inequality differ from Barbès’?
Marx and Engels stated what they thought people needed, while Barbès considered what people thought
This difference highlights a fundamental divergence in their perspectives on social issues.
Did Barbès relate his arguments to religion?
No
Unlike Barbès, Marx and Engels did not incorporate religious elements into their discussions on inequality.
What focus did Barbès have in his writing compared to others?
He focused heavily on exploitation and labour
Others discussed inequality’s occurrence in various societal aspects, but Barbès emphasized labour exploitation.
What social conditions influenced socialist thought about inequality in the mid-nineteenth century?
Rapid economic and social change, urbanisation, and industrialisation
These changes shaped how socialists viewed inequality and the exploitation of workers.
What was a consequence of previous revolutions according to the mid-nineteenth-century socialists?
They replaced autocratic regimes with a different form of autocracy
This reflects a cycle of political change without achieving true liberation.
What emergence occurred in the 18th-19th centuries that affected views on inequality?
Scientific racism
This concept contributed to the understanding of social hierarchies and inequalities.
Why did Marx and Engels provide a history lesson in their theory about revolution?
To learn from the past
They emphasized the importance of historical context in understanding social change and inequality.
What was one key point Marx and Engels highlighted about workers?
Workers don’t have a country; they unite over hating the bourgeoisie
This statement underscores the idea of international solidarity among the working class.
What did Marx and Engels suggest about the timing of revolutions?
The Russian revolution was too soon; conditions need to be right for a successful revolution
This indicates their belief in the necessity of certain socio-economic conditions for revolution.
To what extent does Marxism offer solutions for inequalities not based on money?
No to any great extent; mostly solutions for overcoming the bourgeoisie
Marxism primarily addresses class-based inequalities rather than broader societal issues.
How does Marxism address family inequalities?
A little about women, mostly how they were considered as a means of production
This limited perspective indicates a gap in Marxist theory concerning gender issues.
Does Marxism discuss racial issues in depth?
No
Racial inequalities are not a significant focus in Marxist theory.
