Marxism Flashcards
What theories are Marxism?
Structuralist theory
Macro theory
Conflict theory
How do Marxists see society?
See society divided into two social groups: the ruling class (RC) and the subject class (SC)
What do the ruling class own?
The means of production e.g. land, factories, raw materials etc.
Economic institutions e.g. banks
What is capitalism?
RC employ the SC to work for them to make goods in return for a wage
The goods are then sold by the RC for more money then the wages they pay the SC to create them to ensure the RC make a profit known as surplus value
Why do Marxists belive capitalism is unfair?
The RC exploit the SC - the SC do all the hard work but the RC make all the money
What do Marxists argue the SC should do against capitalism?
Should join together and overthrow capitalism and create a communist society
How do the RC keep the SC from not overthrowing them?
They use their ideological state apparatus (ISA) to keep the SC in a state of false class consciousness meaning the SC are unaware of their exploitation
What does the ideological state apparatus (ISA) include?
Education, religion and the media which are controlled by the RC and spread ideas that benefit the RC and make the SC accept capitalism without question
