marxism

• Who was Karl Marx and when was he born?

  Karl Marx was born in 1818 and died in 1883.
• What social classes does Marxism identify?

  Marxism identifies the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.
• What is the bourgeoisie in Marxism?

  The bourgeoisie is the ruling class that owns everything and makes up around 1% of the population.
• What is the proletariat in Marxism?

  The proletariat is the working class that owns nothing and makes up around 99% of the population.
• How does Marxism relate to conflict theory?

  Marxism is considered a conflict theory because it focuses on the inequality between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.
• What is capitalism according to Marxism?

  Capitalism is an economic system where trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.
• What analogy did Marx use to explain society?

  Marx used the analogy of a pyramid to explain society.
• What does the underground part of the pyramid analogy represent in Marxism?

  The underground part of the pyramid represents the economy, referred to as the infrastructure.
• What is the superstructure in Marxism?

  The superstructure includes everything else in society, such as family, education, religion, and the criminal justice system.
• What happens if the economy fails according to Marxism?

  If the economy fails, everything else in society will also fail, indicating that capitalism is fragile.
• How do the bourgeoisie maintain control in Marxism?

  The bourgeoisie maintain control by scapegoating minorities and blaming them for societal problems.
• What are the means of production in Marxism?

  The means of production include banks, factories, businesses, technology, and transport.
• What does Marx argue about the wages of the proletariat?


  Marx argues that the proletariat earn just enough to survive while making the bourgeoisie richer.
• What is polarisation in Marxism?

  Polarisation is the growing difference between the wealth of the bourgeoisie and the destitution of the proletariat.
• What is exploitation in the context of Marxism?

  Exploitation is taking advantage of those in a vulnerable position to make them work for others.
• What is false class consciousness?

  False class consciousness is when the proletariat do not realize they are being exploited due to the influence of the ruling class.
• How does the ruling class influence the proletariat according to Marx?

  The ruling class uses institutions in the superstructure to socialize the proletariat into bourgeois norms and values.
• What does Marx believe about consumerism?

  Marx believes that consumerism is equated with happiness, leading the proletariat to accept their exploitation.