MARXISM

• Marxism is a structural conflict theory that has a fundamental rejection of capitalism. In capitalism, the bourgeoisie exploit the labour of the proletariat. They maintain their position through control of the repressive state apparatus and through hegemony. Marx believed that a dictatorship of the proletariat, leading to a classless society was inevitable. There are differences, however, between the types of Marxists.
• HISTORICAL MATERIALISM (MARX)


  • Materialism is the nucleus to human survival - it provides individuals with food, clothing and shelter.​
  • It is used to show change is driven by material factors such as food, shelter and money - each period of history, therefore, has its own unique set of characteristics.​
• HISTORICAL MATERIALISM (MARX)


  • Such characteristics in a modern society can be identified as a division of labour that occurs between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, who are the forces and relations of production make up society’s infrastructure.​
  • Marx argues that every aspect of the infrastructure is dictated by the economic base (capitalism).
• CLASS SOCIETY (MARX)


  Marx identifies 3 successive class societies:​

  • Ancient society - based on the exploitation of slaves tied to their owners​
  • Feudal society - based on the exploitation of serfs legally tied to land​
  • Capitalist society - based on the exploitation of free wage labourers
• CAPITALISM (MARX)


  Capitalism has 3 distinctive features:​

  • The proletariat are legally separated from the means of production, they have to sell their labour power to the bourgeoisie in return for wages.
  • ​The means of production is in the hands of transnational corporations.​
  • Competition forces capitalists to pay the lowest wage possible, causing immiseration of the proletariat.​
  • Capitalism continually expands the forces of production in pursuit of profit.
• EXPLOITATION (MARX)


  Marx argued that the bourgeoisie control society’s surplus product which keeps the flow of the capitalist society driving - thus the capitalist society is based on the exploitation of free wage labourers.​

  leads towards a society of polarisation, whereby it allows capitalism to produce an ever more dominant ruling class and ever more alienated proletariat
• CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS (MARX)


  The notion that the proletariat need to stop becoming a class in itself but become a class for itself.​

  Marx argues because of the exploitative nature of capitalism, the proletariat develop their own economic and political interests in opposition this will influctuate a dictatorship of the proletariat, whereby they become aware of the need to overthrow capitalism.
• GRAMSCI - HEGEMONY 


  The ruling class maintain its dominance in two ways:

  • COERCION - The army, police, prisons and courts of the capitalist state force other classes to accept its rule.
  • CONSENT - The ruling class use ideas and values to persuade the subordinate classes that their rule is legitimate.
• GRAMXCI - HEGEMONY 


  However, the ruling-class hegemony is never complete because:The ruling class are a minority and have to make ideological compromises with other classes.​

  Gramsci rejects economic determinism as an explanation of change: even though economic factors (eg. mass unemployment) may create preconditions for revolution, ideas are central to whether or not it will actually occur.​

  Although ruling-class hegemony may be undermined by an economic crisis, this will only lead to a revolution of the proletariat construct a counter-hegemonic bloc to win the leadership of society.
• ALTHUSSER 


  argued that it was not just the economic base and superstructure that makes up capitalist society but it exists on three levels:

  • POLITICAL LEVEL - Through the government and organisations in charge of society.
  • IDEOLOGICAL LEVEL - Known as the ideological state apparatus, reinforced by the media, education and religion.
  • ECONOMIC LEVEL - Through the economy and production of goods.
• HISTORICAL MATERIALISM (MARX) 


  Materialism is the nucleus to human survival - it provides individuals with food, clothing and shelter.​

  It is used to show change is driven by material factors such as food, shelter and money - each period of history, therefore, has its own unique set of characteristics.​
• HISTORICAL MATERIALISM (MARX)


  Such characteristics in a modern society can be identified as a division of labour that occurs between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, who are the forces and relations of production make up society’s infrastructure.​

  Marx argues that every aspect of the infrastructure is dictated by the economic base (capitalism).