Classical Marxism
- Created by: ameliamiles
- Created on: 03-02-17 11:37
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- Classical Marxism
- Structural, macro theory that studies society as a whole.
- critical of capitalist societies, which they see as a society of 2 parts
- Economic base (foundation of society)
- Superstructure (major agencies of social control e.g. education)
- Focuses on the fact that capitalist societies are based on conflict.
- A Capitalist Society
- The proletariat sell their labour power to the bourgeoisie for wages- not at an equal exchange
- The State
- Exists to protect the interests of the class of owners who control it.
- Used as a weapon against the w/c- prevents a revolution (RSA).
- Also used ISA to control the working classes ideas and beliefs.
- The State
- Class polarisation occurs, society is driven into polar opposites- minority capitalists, majority proletariat. Based on what they do, how much they own and their beliefs.
- Through competition, means of production becomes concentrated in fewer and fewer hands. .
- The proletariat sell their labour power to the bourgeoisie for wages- not at an equal exchange
- A Capitalist Society
- critical of capitalist societies, which they see as a society of 2 parts
- Materialism
- Humans have material needs e.g. food and shelter and must work to meet these needs by using the means of production
- Division created between the bourgeoisie and proletariat because they own their labour power
- Humans have material needs e.g. food and shelter and must work to meet these needs by using the means of production
- Application
- Education
- Reproduces aqnd legitimates inequalities through socialisation and allocates roles based on social class.
- Family
- Religion
- Education
- Strengths
- Offers a structural approach which emphasises the importance of the economy, mentioning how various parts of society are inter-related and affect one another.
- Explains how societies go through large-scale change. shows how only people can change society, through evidence such as the French Revolution.
- Theoretical support from Feminism, as they also look at inequalities and conflicts that exists in society.
- Weaknesses
- Functionalist argue they over-emphasise conflict in society. Believe it is based on value consensus which creates order and stability. Bourgeoisie make concessions to the proletariat.
- Interactionists believe society is made up of social actors and their interactions with each other, rather than behaviour being shaped by structural factors.
- Althusser: believes capitalism has 3 structures economic, political and ideological, rather than the economic base affecting the superstructure
- Neo-Marxist Gramsci: it places too much emphasis on the view that economic factors are the sole cause of everything in society.
- Uses HEGOMONY to explain how the r/c maintain dominance. Revolution will only arise if the working class produce their own ORGANIC INTELLECTUALS.
- Postmodernists see social class as no longer a major factor shaping social life. Other factors such as gender and age now shape life chances and cultural identities.
- There is evidence to show communism not working, meaning Marxist theory is no longer viable.
- Class polarisation has not occurred- the middle class has grown, working class has shrunk
- Viewing society as a two class division is too simplistic. Webber divided the proletariat into skilled and unskilled.
- Functionalist argue they over-emphasise conflict in society. Believe it is based on value consensus which creates order and stability. Bourgeoisie make concessions to the proletariat.
- Conclusion
- Structural, macro theory that studies society as a whole.
- The ruling class own the means of production enabling them to exploit the working class for their own benefit.
- Conflict arises as the working class want higher wages but the ruling class want to maximise their profits.
- Exploitation is on two levels; low pay and alienating work.
- Conflict will continue, unless the working class unite and gain class conscious-ness
- Marx- capitalism will sow the seeds of is own destruction, as by polarising the classes, the proletariat will come together in masses and be united.
- They would move from a class in itself to a class for itself. As a result of this conflict Marx predicted a revolution causing social change.
- Class Conscious-ness
- Conflict will continue, unless the working class unite and gain class conscious-ness
- Dominant ideology
- Ruling class control the economic base and superstructure- w/c are subject to ideological conditioning., by the ruling class.
- W/C are in a state of false class conscious-ness; they are not aware of the full extent of their exploitation- social st5ability is maintained.
- Socialises people into the "status quo" and the family acts as an important unit of consumption.
- Family
- Religion prevents social change as it is a conservative force, through ideologies of finding equality. "Opiate of the masses".
- Religion
- Crime
- Caused by economic inequality and capitalist values. laws are created to maintain r/c power. Selective law enforcement directs attention away from white collar crime.
- Application
- Education
- Reproduces aqnd legitimates inequalities through socialisation and allocates roles based on social class.
- Education
- Although Marxists provide useful insight their theory is ideologically driven, meaning their theory is reductionist as it fails to take into account competing theoretical ideas.
- Postmodernists argue no single theory can make truth claims about the workings of society.
- Conclusion
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