marxism

• marxism

  -structural conflict theory

  -suggests there's a class conflict in society
• Karl Marx


  -concerned by rapid social changes linked to industrial revolution

  -suggested society divided into 2 social classes

  -argued a conflict existed between 2 classes

  -believed class conflict would lead to working class overthrowing capitalism , creating a communist society
• bourgeoisie 


  -minority capitalist class

  -owned means of production

  -wanted as much money as possible

  -exploited proletariat
• proletariat 


  -majority working class

  -owned nothing but their labour

  -exploited by bourgeoisie
• how did exploitation take place?


  -proletariat need goods but have no money to survive

  -only way could afford goods was to sell labour

  -bourgeoisie wanted to maximise profit so pay proletariat low wages
• false class consciousness 


  -capitalist ideology persuades proletariat to think interests of bourgeoisie are interests for all

  -proletariat don't recognise they're being exploited so do nothing about it
• marxism strengths 


  -clearly shows how structure of capitalist society manipulates members & shapes behaviour

  -convinced government to tackle class inequality

  -it creates a system of true equality based on human rights

  -Marx's ideas remain useful > help explain income inequality
• marxism criticisms 


  -Marx predicted a revolution where workers would seize means of production, this never happened

  -sociologists that take social action approach will say this ignores workers free will as people 'passively accept capitalist ideology' and 'unaware of exploitation'
• means of production


  -all things needed for production in industrial era

  -Marx argued bourgeoisie controlled these & exploited the proletariat for their labour
• key concepts


  > class conflict

  > proletariat & bourgeoisie

  > capitalism

  > exploitation

  > base-superstructure model

  > false class consciousness
• how did the bourgeoisie get away with exploiting the proletariat?

  -Marx argues society made up of two parts (Marx's base-superstructure model) : economic base & ideological superstructure

  -bourgeoisie controlled economic base so also control society's superstructure

  -ruling class ideology > false class consciousness
• base superstructure model


  -theoretical concept made by Marx

  -base refers to production forces that generate the goods for society

  -superstructure refers to society's other relationships and ideas not directly relating to production (culture, media, state, religion)