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Marxism - Coggle Diagram
Marxism
Althusser (1970)
Individuals are trained to become part of the capitalist state, e.g. learning roles. A series of institutions exist to train us to accept the ideas of capitalism, i.e. the family, media, education and media. These are part of the Ideological State Apparatus and their purpose is to create obedient citizens.
The Repressive State Apparatus refers to institutions that impose order, like the CJS, police, law and the army. Inequality exists because the state trains people to accept the ideas that make them slaves to the system.
The two classes are in conflict because the bourgeoisie exploits the proletariat, but this exploitation is not always recognised, resulting in false class consciousness- when economic power leads to political and social power and socialisation of their ideology to internalise and accept, denying them awareness of true class consciousness.
E.g. Workers earn enough money to survive so they think they're doing well, when in reality they're working to support the bourgeoisie.
Neo-Marxism
Althusser (1971)- education transmits the idea that society is a meritocracy, but in reality those born into higher socioeconomic positions are more likely to achieve (hidden curriculum produces conformity).
Frankfurt school of Marxists (1930s)- the role of the media in diverting working class attention away from class conflict and towards popular culture for the masses (consumerism, celebrity culture and trivia).
Marcuse (1964)- through the media, capitalism has 'bedazzled' the working class with 'false needs' to buy the latest consumer goods.
Braverman (1974)- deskilling as a method of controlling the workforce by minimising autonomy and power of workers to maximise output of goods- remove creativity, timing repetitive tasks and setting minimum amounts. E.g. Fordism through assembly lines for specialised repetitive tasks- replaceable staff with limited skills.
Ideology
Marxists see society as divided by conflict between the social groups, or classes who make up society. There are those who control property and those who work for them.
In the capitalist society, there are two basic classes of people. The bourgeoisie own property, factories, wealth, technology, and knowledge. The proletariat own nothing but their own ability to work.
The bourgeoisie are able to control the proletariat through two mechanisms: direct control through exercise of power, and indirect control through the use of ideology or ideas. The second form is the most dangerous as we can come to accept ideas as true without questioning them. I.e. Few challenge greed and selfishness of the rich and it is seen as acceptable.
Marx (1859)
Marx believed that control of the infrastructure gives control of the superstructure (major institutions)- political power is derived from economic power.
The power of the ruling class therefore stems from the ownership and control of the means of production. The ruling class are able to control the subject class by force or through ideology which produces false class consciousness.
Gramsci (1971)
Used the term hegemony to describe a culture in which the values of the ruling class become the common sense ideas of a whole culture. People who are part of the working class accept these ideas and instead of challenging the rich, accept their right to rule and to make important decisions.
Inequality exists because people are led to believe it is inevitable, but once people see through this illusion, then it exists because the state will impose its power on people.
Bruegal (1979)
The reserve army of labour suffers when capitalism goes through 'peaks and drops'. When it is working, everyone has jobs and can survive, but when it is not, the upper classes are comfortable but the workers suffer.
Basu (2013)- lower class face inequality as capitalism makes workers reliant on work to survive, creating a 'lumpenproletarian' because the groups are so desperate to work that they will work for cheaper wages. E.g. zero hour contracts rise, gig economy.