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Marxism structural conflict theory, Criticisms, Key terms Marx …

- - - - Which mode does Althusser favour and why?
        He favours the 'structural determinism' model in which Capitalist society has 3 levels:
        
        Economic level - all of those activities which involve producing something or meeting a need Bourgeoisie's need
        
        Political level - comprising all forms of political organisation
        
        Ideological level - how people see themselves and the world
        
        Why?
        Base-superstructure model = one-way causality - economic base determines everything else (this is economic determinism)
        Structural determinism model = two-way causality, more complex - political and ideological level have relative autonomy (partial independence) from economic level
      - Why does Althusser reject Marx's base-superstructure model?
        Althusser rejects the idea of economic determinism (economic position determines everything else in society) - present in the base-superstructure model (base determines superstructure)
      - This is much more complex than Marx's model and accurately reflects society's structure better, in Althusser's opinion
      - Repressive and Ideological State Apparatus
        Althusser argues the Bourgeoisie use RSAs and ISAs to maintain Capitalism:
        
        Repressive State Apparatus = army/ police/ prisons that forcefully control the Proletariat
        
        Ideological State Apparatus = media/ education/ family/ trade unions which ideologically control Proletariat
      - Criticism = Thompson argues that Althusser ignores that fact that ''it is the Proletariat's active struggles which can change society''
        He also accuses him of elitism - ie belief that communist part knows what's best for workers, who are told to blindly follow their rules
  - - - However ... Why is the hegemony (ideological power) of the ruling class never complete?
        
        Ruling class is small - they must create a 'power bloc' by making alliances with middle-classes to become bigger, therefore they must compromise some ideas to their allies' interests
        
        Proletariat have a dual-consciousness - their consciousness is influenced by both ideas AND material conditions (e.g. poverty, working conditions, exploitation), meaning they can see through the ruling class hegemony to an extent
      - How does the Bourgeoisie maintain power?
        
        Coercion = army/police/prisons force Proletariat to accept status quo - consequences
        
        Consent or 'hegemony' = using ideas to convince Proletariat to accept status quo
      - How will a Proletarian Revolution happen?
        Gramsci argues the Proletariat must produce their own 'organic intellectuals' - a revolutionary political party of class conscious members of the Proletariat
        These 'organic intellectuals' spread 'counter-hegemony' (anti-capitalist ideas) to 'sow seeds' in the minds of other Proletariat
        This 'counter-hegemony' will overthrow the Bourgeoisie's ideological leadership and bring about the end of Capitalism
        
        Therefore, he believes that human ideas will lead to the fall of capitalism (not actions like Marx suggests - historical materialism
      - Criticism = Gramsci overemphasises the role of ideas and underemphasises the role of material conditions and state coercion
        e.g. Proletariat may hold 'counter-hegemonic' (anti-capitalist) ideas and want to overthrow the system, but do not out of fear of unemployment or punishment (coercion)
        Criticism = Althusser argues we do not have 'free will' and that we are simply 'passive puppets' - a belief in free will is just false class consciousness
- - - - Bourgeoisie vs Proletariat
        Bourgeoisie
        
        Smaller (power in the hands of the few)
        
        Owns means of production
        
        Financial power
        
        Indirectly alienates Proletariat
        
        Proletariat
        
        Large
        
        Exploited for profit
        
        Alienated
        
        Collective class consciousness could overthrow Bourgeoisie
        
        wageslaves
  - - - Criticism: Paul Willis' study 'Learning to Labour'
        The lads were discourages from schoolwork because they saw through the Capitalism ideology the school promoted (meritocracy)
        This shows the Proletariat are much more aware of the indoctrination than Marx suggests, however this doesn't mean they will actively revolt
        The proletariat do not have to undergo peak alienation to be class conscious