Marxism: Conflict structuralism

• How does Marxists see the structure of society?

  Infrastructure = economic base of production

  Super-structure = social institutions which serves power to the infrastructure
• What is the relationship between the two classes according to Marxists?

  The bourgeoise exploit the labout of the working class, the surplus value made by them is pocketed by the capitalsit class creating great inequalities in wealth and income
• According to Marxists what is the function of the super-structure?

  Reproduce the values and ideas of the ruling class into accpeting their unequal position to create a false class consciousness to reinforce class inequalities
• How does private ownership affect social classes according to Marxists?


  Society is divided into owners and non-owners.

  Non-owners create more than needed creating a surplus value, workers do not get the full value of their wage and are being exploited.
• What is the power of the bourgeousie?


  Control the workforce, risking umemployment levels and investment levels in society, therefore their interests are prtoected
• What is the dominant ideology?


  Beliefs and ideas of the most powerful groups in society which influence the rest of society to thinking this is the norm
• What is the false class consciousness?


  Working class fail to realise they are being exploited and are 'alienated' into the norms of the upper class
• Who proposed the RSA and ISA?


  Althusser (1918-1990)
• What is the RSA?


  Repressive state apparatus = institutions enforce norms and values through force
• What is the ISA?


  Ideological state apparatus = institutions enforce norms and values through manipulating thoughts
• What are the strengths of the Marxist approach?


  Structuralist approach the links institutions to behaviours

  Marxism has major influence on sociology

  Emphasis on the importance of the economy

  Provides explanations for extreme social inequalities
• What are the weaknesses of the Marxist approach?


  Over-emphasising conflict

  Economically deterministic

  Ignores impact of ethnicity, gender, and age

  No empirical research

  Society doesn’t always favour RC interests

  Metanarratives = outdated
• What are the main ideas in Neo-Marxism?


  Ideas created by ruling class are applied to working class through religion, media, law, education and family that makes it difficult to challenge

  It is possible for WC to create change in the economy through ideas known as liberation theology
• What does Gramsci state about Neo-Marxist views?


  The state maintains its power through hegemony to not challenge the system. However workers have dual-consciousness to develop their own ideas and challenge inequality (liberation theology)
• What are the strengths of the Neo-Marxist approach?

  Retains and updates Marxist deals making it more applicable to contemporary society

  Acknowledges the power of ideas shaping the economy
• What are the weaknesses of the Neo-Marxist approach?


  Class is less important in contemporary society, identity is more relevant

  Structural approach which no longer is relevant to society today

  Weaknesses of classical Marxism