Theory and methods- Marxism

Theory and methods- Marxism

1. Traditional Marxism

   • Bourgeousie VS Proletariat. Working class labour exploited by the ruling class, who own the means of production
     • CRITICISM: Marxism ignores very real benefits the working class have gained in the past few years for instance health, pension and welfare benefits. HOWEVER, right realists such as Charles Murray would argue that this overgenerous welfare system creates a welfare dependant underclass; instead of helping the proletariat.
   • Structural, conflict theory
   • Derives from writings of Marx who sought to create a scientific explanation of society
     • Marx believed classes developed because some people were able to gain control over the means of production
       • CRITICISM:Theory pays little attention to other differences in society.For example, feminists argue differences in gender is more important.Marxist feminists; agree that economic factors should be used to understand the exploitation of women. Unpaid labour in the home. Ansley- Takers of shit' that should be directed/absorbed by capitalism. Radical feminists- do not see the class system as the problem but instead argue men are the enemy.
     • Foundation of society is the economic system; consists of the means of production and the class system or the relations of production
   • Marx suggested history can be divided into 5 epochs in which the relations of production differ and there is a particular mode of production (economic and social system)
     • 1) Primitive communism: Hunter- gatherer society. No private ownership of property so no social classes.
       • EXAMPLE/ CRITICISM: Engels- in hunter-gatherer communities society was a promiscuous horde. Marxist feminists argue the introduction of private property was the world historical defeat of women. Heterosexual relationships became essential to ensure the paternity of the heir.
     • 2) Imperialism: Ancient Rome and Asia. Strong man ruled and owned all the land.
     • 3) Feudalism: Feudal lords exploit serfs who have to surrender some of their produce/land to their masters
     • 4) Capitalism: the bourgeoisie own the means of production and exploit the labour of the proleteriat
       • EXAMPLE: The petite bourgeoisie e.g. small business (for instance shop) owners. Not enough means of production to employ/exploit others. Forced out of business and into paid labour- proletarianisation
       • Marx states the ruling class impose their ideologies on the working class creating a false class consciousness. For example the idea that the minimum wage is for the benefit of the workers. Capitalism will have a crisis leading to the rich becoming more rich and the poor becoming more poor. Proletariat then develop class consciousness and overthrow capitalism.
         • CRITICISM: This crisis has not occurred. In many parts of the world communism has been replaced by capitalism. EXAMPLE: Cold war following the second world war saw the rise of the soviet union and the breakdown of European and Japanese empires.
         • CRITICISM:There has actually been a rise in the middle classesThe Brookings institute predict that by the end of the decade, the middle classes will make up 3.2 billion of the population compared to 1.8 billion currently. This contradicts Marx's predictions thus weakening the strength/ applicability of traditional Marxist theory.
         • Paul Willis' lads; learning to labour (see AS book page 73)
     • 5) Socialism/ Communism: All property owned by the community. Each individual contributes and receives according to their needs. Society becomes classless.

2. Neo- Marxism

   • Developed as an internal critique of traditional Marxism.
   • Combines traditional Marxism with interactionism as they argue that traditional Marxism is too deterministic and ignores human agency.
   • Gramsci
     • Humanist Marxist; places more emphasis on the choices/agency of members of different social classes
     • Focuses of hegemonic (dominant ideologies)
     • Proletariat have the ability to resist the ruling class
       • Under Neo-liberalism; an alternative economic/moral ideology was defected by capitalism. Jeremy Corbyn- wants to increase welfare benefits which threatens capitalism. New right also rejects this as would create welfare dependant underclass.
       • While they accept capitalism; the are critical of it. Thus they must create their own counter-hegemony to challenge the dominant hegemony.
         • EXAMPLE: an example of groups that have created their own dominant hegemony are WikiLeaks, Anonymous.
   • Althusser
     • For capitalism to continue the state is used as a control
       • Ideological state apparatus
         • EXAMPLE: Education teaches norms and values favour by capitalism e.g. obedience to authority Media emphasises blue collor opposed to white collar crime and makes those on benefits appear as the enemy e.g. 'benefit street' Religious organisations
       • Repressive state apparatus
         • EXAMPLE:organisations such as the police and the army. Middle and upper classes can use their cultural capital to negotiate their way out of trouble with the police whereas working classes/ethnic minorities are often labelled as deviant (phenomenological approach)
     • Suggests capitalism is made up of 3 systems
       • The economic system
       • The political system
         • Both the political system and the ideological system have significant degrees of independence from the economic system/capitalism. They have RELATIVE AUTONOMY EXAMPLE:Political pressure groups oppose capitalism such as green peace policy on fraccing.The state must appear to be neutral
       • The ideological system
   • The Frankfurt school
     • Peoples ideas and motivatations far more important than Marx acknoweldged
     • Instrumental reasons
       • According to Adorno; Marx failed to explain peoples motivations for accepting capitalism and consumer goods. Cannot simply be dismissed as false class consciousness.
     • Mass culture
       • Marcuse argued that marx had ignored the importance of media in his analysis. Media plays key part in controlling the population.
     • The oppression of personality
       • The way that individuald personalities and desires are controlled by capitalism. Capitalism needs individuals with 'work ethic'. Later capitalism uses individuals desires to its own benefit e.g. sex to sell products.