Marxism

Marxism

1. proletariat

   • working class
   • exploited
   • consume goods with profit
   • produce the wealth

2. capitalism

   • an economic system based on the exchange of goods and services for profit
     • profit: surplus value
   • intensification of production
   • economic crisis
     • capitalism is bound by it
       • workers have to buy products to maintain capitalism
         • less salary = less consuming

3. bourgeoisie

   • own the means of production
   • ruling class
   • exploiters

4. Marxism and Beliefs in Society

   • "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness” - Karl Marx (1844)
     • Opiate of the people/the masses
       • Religion is an illusion which eases the pain of exploitation in capitalist society. In a communist utopia religion ceases to exist because there is no need for it.
   • ‘Religion is a kind of spiritual gin in which slaves of capital drown their human shape and their claims to any decent life’ - Lenin
   • dominant ideology: : Religious beliefs are a form of ideology that prevents revolutionary consciousness. People are in a state of false consciousness.
     • religion contributes to social control through ideology.
   • alienation: self-delusion of individuals from themselves and others. Religion represents a set of ideas that are created by humanity, but which humanity lets rule over them. This prevents revolutionary consciousness and social change.
   • religion justifies social order
     • "all things bright at beautiful"
   • religion makes a virtue of suffering
   • religion promises heaven for the poor
     • camel through the eye of a needle
   • religion is a tool for the ruling class to help provide a false consciousness
     • legitimises and maintains inequalities through socialisation
       • diverts attention away from capitalism
         • prevents revolution

5. conflict theory

   • based on inequalities
     • inequalities lead to change
       • change leads to revolution
     • INSTITUTIONS promote an ideological view of the world
       • eg education, the family, religion

6. activist

   • revolution in captialism
     • leads to socialism
       • turns into communism