Modernist Marxist

• Marxism :

  • The owners at the top require lower classes to be good workers to gain as much money as possible (owners of economic structure, control society)
• Marxism :

  • History divided into epochs - signify changes in society
  • Marx - felt capitalist epoch inevitably give way to final stage of communism
  • However we are still in the capitalist epoch today
• Bourgeoisie -

  • Ruling class
  • Own industry + commerce
• Marxism example :

  • Coal = worth nothing underground
  • Miner makes it valueable by extracting it
  • Owner sells the coal for more than miners pay to make a profit
  • The surplus value is considered theft by Marxists
• Dominant institutions enforce :

  • Us to accept capitalism as communism hasn't worked yet
• Example of dominant institutions :

  • Religion
  • Education
• Marx -

  • Suffering from 'false consciousness'
  • Workers end up supporting the infrastructure that supports them
  • Brainwashed
  • However - always conflict (class consciousness) - political protests
• Increased competition causes :

  • Capitalist society to eventually enter a period of crisis
  • Where it's difficult to offer low wages
  • This will usher in the final communist epoch
• Examples of increased competition :

  • Chef shortage
  • Doctor shortage
  • Result teachers, junior doctors striking for pay, working conditions and hours
• Neo marxism :

  • Frankfurt School -
  • Criticised Marx for being an economic deterministic
  • Marx failed to explore why people accept capitalism + consumerism
  • Suggests media takes on controlling role - focus = trivial entertainment
  • Personalities not suppressed just manipulated
  • Eg - money made from sexual desires
• Neo marxism -

  • Althusser (concept of relative autonomy)
  • Society is not driven by just the economic system
  • driven by political system + ideological system (ideas + beliefs)
  • Recognise ruling class control using :
  • Police, army (RSA)
  • Education, media, religion (ISA)
• Neo marxism -

  • Gramsci's concept of hegemony :
  • Dominant groups control people through ideas (brainwashed not forced)
  • Subtle forms of control - education + religion
  • May need coercion based support from police + courts
• Marxism criticism :

  • Crisis + move to communism hasn't happened yet
  • Tiny minority of rich + huge majority of poor hasn't occurred
  • There is inequality but massive growth of middle class
  • Capitalism has changed with introduction of a wide range of health, pension, housing + welfare benefits