Marxism

Question 1

What is historical materialism?

Answer 1

Humans have material needs
Materials need to be produced
Society needs means of production
Humans cooperate with each other which leads to social relations of production
Overtime a division of labour develops
Two classes then develop: the ones in power and the ones who work for this in power.

Question 2

How is capitalism maintained?

Answer 2

• ruling class own the means of mental production
• ruling class believes that capitalism is the only way
• they legitimise social order as the desirable/ineviatble
• leads to false consciousness

Question 3

How could capitalism be overthrown?

Answer 3

• working class should overthrow the ruling class
• abolish the ‘state’ and create a classless society
• abolish exploitation- replace private ownership with social ownership
• end alienation- Humans can regain control of labour

This would never happen and not that many jobs cause alienation so not that many people are feeling that unhappy to cause a revolt

Question 4

Criticisms of Marx’s Ideas

Answer 4

• his ideas never came true
• no revolt will happen
• capitalism wont be defeated
• less people in complete poverty
• communism made things worse

Question 5

What are Gramsci’s Neo Marxist ideas

Answer 5

Ruling class maintain dominance in two ways
force- army, police, prisons, courts
Hegemony- ideas/ values to persuade the subordinate class that its common sense

Proletariat now have a dual consciousness
We have counter hegemony and organic intellectuals

Question 6

Critique of Gramsci’s neo Marxist ideas

Answer 6

Underestimates the impact of economic factors on the course of history and effects of structural constraints on individual behaviour

Question 7

What does hegemony mean?

Answer 7

Leadership or dominance especially by one social group over others
Implementation/embodiment of ideology through leadership

Question 8

What are Althussers neo Marxist ideas?

Answer 8

Apparatuses help to keep capitalism going
repressive state apparatus- army, police, prisons
Ideological state apparatus- media, education, family, political parties

Question 9

Critiques of Althussers neo Marxist ideas

Answer 9

This discourages political activism because it suggests there is little individuals can do to change society

Question 10

What is an organic intellectual

Answer 10

Critical thinkers writhing the working class

Question 11

What is counter hegemony

Answer 11

Alternative values and an alternative agenda developed within the working class