Marxism

Marxism and Capitalist Society

Marxism is a conflict theory
there are 2 classes ( ruling and working)
Ruling class owns the means of production- and profit from exploiting the working class.
This creates class conflict that threatens the stability of capitalism or even result in revolution to overthrow it.
social instituions such as, Education reproduce class inequalities and play an ideological role by persuading workers that inequality is justified and acceptable.

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Education system is part of the ideological state apparatus
This means that it reproduces class based inequalities by creating the belief that capitalism is 'normal' 'natural' and 'just'.
The effect of all of this is that ' sons and daughters of working class families remain working class.
Self-fulfilling prohercy- working class students are often told that they won't amoubnt to anything than that of their parents.
They are not given high expectations so therefor they aspire to the working class vocations that they are exposed to through fromt heir parents.

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main function of education is to legitimise and reproduce ruling class culture and power.
Another important function- socialise the working class into a 'culture of failure' so that they take up wthout question the routine and dull work in society.

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There is a close relationship between social relationships in the work place and in education.
This correspondance principle operates through the hidden curriculum.
The hidden curriculum:
helps to produce subservient workforce
encourages and acceptance of hierachy

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