Ethnic Inequality EVIDENCE

• What does Marxism emphasize regarding ethnic inequality?


  Structural barriers beyond individual control
• How do Marxists view the existence of conflict in society?


  It is often ignored by functionalists
• What does classical Marxism say about ethnic inequality?


  It says very little about it
• What did Marx argue about ethnic minorities?


  They tend to be part of the working-class
• How does capitalism create racist attitudes according to Marx?


  To justify slavery and moral rightness
• What is the effect of racism on class consciousness?

  It reduces class consciousness
• What does Marx say about the division among workers?

  It prevents unity against exploitation
• What are the components of human society according to Marx?

  • BASE: Production means (machines, factories)
  • SUPERSTRUCTURE: Non-production aspects (education, politics)
• How does racism serve capitalism according to Marx?

  By justifying inequality and dividing workers
• What historical context does Marx provide for the emergence of racism?


  It justified the Atlantic slave trade
• What does Marx say about the nature of prejudice before capitalism?

  It existed but not based on race
• How did the perception of different races affect white workers?

  They felt no threat from slavery
• What is the reserve army of labour?

  Unemployed workers ready and available for hire
• How do capitalists utilize the reserve army of labour?

  To manage employment during economic changes
• What is the impact of economic fluctuations on the reserve army of labour?

  It keeps the reserve army constant
• What demographic groups are often part of the reserve army of labour?

  Ethnic minority groups
• How do ethnic minorities affect wage acceptance among workers?

  They help workers accept lower wages
• What anxiety do white workers experience regarding ethnic minorities?

  Fear of competition for jobs
• How does capitalism benefit from low wages among workers?

  It increases capitalist profits
• What did the ONS report about unemployment rates in the UK?

  BAME unemployment rates are higher
• Why is racism still needed today according to Marxists?

  To blame individuals for poverty
• How do ethnic minorities serve as scapegoats in capitalism?

  They divert anger from capitalism's crises
• What did the British Journal of Psychology find about economic scarcity?

  It promotes racial discrimination
• How did Hitler capitalize on economic recession in the 1930s?

  By gaining support for Nazism
• What are the strengths of Marxism in explaining ethnic inequality?

  • Explains intersection of ethnicity and class
  • Shows economic inequality underpins ethnic inequality
  • Explains rise of racism during economic crises
• What are the weaknesses of Marxism in explaining ethnic inequality?

  • Ignores cultural differences impacting status
  • Overemphasizes class over ethnicity
  • Simplistic view of racism's existence
  • Neglects successful ethnic minorities
• What is the structural view of Marxism on ethnic inequalities?

  • Linked to economic conditions and capitalism
  • Not influenced by language or culture
  • Beyond individual control
• What are the key studies related to Marxism and ethnic inequality?

  1. Cox (1970)
  2. Castles & Kosack (1973)
  3. Hall (1978)
  4. Miles (1989)
• What did Cox (1970) argue about capitalism and racism?

  Capitalism created racism to justify exploitation
• What did Castles & Kosack (1973) find about immigrant workers?

  They were in low-paid, low-skill jobs
• How did Castles & Kosack describe the impact of immigration on the working class?

  It split the working class hierarchy
• What moral panic did Stuart Hall (1978) analyze?

  Fear around 'black muggers'
• How did Hall connect media representation to economic conditions?

  Media scapegoated minorities during crises
• What is a contradiction in Hall's argument?

  If crime increased, it was not a panic
• What does Hall suggest about the relationship between recession and crime?

  Poverty leads to increased crime rates
• What does Hall argue about scapegoating during economic crises?

  It diverts attention from systemic issues
• What does Hall's analysis reveal about societal responses to perceived threats?

  People turn against those perceived as different
• How does Marxism view the role of ethnicity in social status?

  It is linked to economic conditions
• What does Marxism suggest about the control of ethnic inequalities?

  They are entirely the making of capitalism
• What does Marxism imply about the future of ethnic inequalities?

  They will persist as long as capitalism exists