Introduction to Marxism Marxism: Conflict, Control, Oppression & Greed This week we begin to take a look at some of the introductory principles associated with structural conflict theory of Marxism and Marxist sociological theory ‌
Introduction to Marxism
Marxist theory derives from the theoretical writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels: it is a sociological, political, philosophical and economic theoretical framework. Some of their more important books are:
The Communist Manifesto Economic & Philosophical Manuscripts Das Kapital The German Ideology
Marxism shares some similarities to functionalist theory - in that it is also a macro theory. However, whereas functionalism is a consensus theory, Marxism is a conflict theory.
Functionalism: structural-consensus theory Marxism: structural-conflict theory
Marxists view society as consisting of different social classes and structured very much like a triangle: The bourgeoisie or ruling class are located at the top of the triangle; the petit-bourgeosie or the middle class further down; whilst the proletariat or working class make-up the main body of the triangle.
HE Access: Sociological Perspectives.
2
Introduction to Marxism
The Middle Class (Petit-bourgeoisie): What type of ‘economic’ locations would people in this category be found?
The Ruling Class (Bourgeoisie): What type of ‘economic’ locations would people in this category be found?
The Working Class (Proletariat): What types of ‘economic’ locations would people in this category be found? The Lumpemproletariat: Those that are otherwise excluded from any form of work, belonging, or useful role within the economic structure.
Society for Marxists operates on principles of conflict, coercion and control. The ruling class (bourgeoisie) along with the middle class (petit-bourgeoisie) manipulate and control the working class (or proletariat) on various levels:
HE Access: Sociological Perspectives.
3
Introduction to Marxism
For Marxists - the bourgeoisie control and manipulate the major institutions within society, in order to further their own wealth, and privileged positions. The bourgeoisie maintain tight control, by influencing the way people think. They indoctrinate a ruling ideology into the minds of the proletariat.
Ideology means a set of values and beliefs; therefore ‘ruling ideology’ means a set of ruling ideas, or a dominant set of values and beliefs.
Marxists argue that all institutions in society (education, religion, economy, mass media, parliament) are dominated by, and reflect the interests of the bourgeoisie. For example: state (compulsory) Education – what values does it instil into our children [think about your own experiences]?
Where do these values come from?
HE Access: Sociological Perspectives.
4
Introduction to Marxism
The bourgeoisie maintain control through ‘injecting’ their ideas and beliefs into the lower classes – which are aimed at keeping them in their place. The belief system of a society is closely related to and dependent upon the economic system upon which it is built:
Base – Superstructure Model:
ECONOMIC BASE
HE Access: Sociological Perspectives.
5
Introduction to Marxism
The ruling class not only control peoples minds in society, they also control the means of physical force in society (army, police, criminal justice system). If people begin to question the system – then physical force will ‘crush’ them. (e.g. Miners strike, fuel crisis, anti-capitalist demonstration) The Marxist Louis Althusser explains how this takes place: Ideological State Apparatus: Consists of the Family, education, religion, politics, mass media, trade unions. These control how people view and think about society. They have the effect of making things seem unchangeable. Or, if people do break out of the subtle methods of thought control; the: Repressive State Apparatus: Which consists of the Army, police, prisons, courts etc. These physical elements of the state forcefully crush any type of uprising that challenges the system. (e.g. Fuel Crisis). Do you think that the Marxist analysis provides us with an accurate description of how society operates?
HE Access: Sociological Perspectives.
6
Introduction to Marxism
What is the Marxist response to this? • According to Marxists the proletariat (W/C) need to rise up against the capitalist system and cause a REVOLUTION. They need to get rid of the hierarchical system in order to create a communist society free from control and conflict. • The Marxist belief is that humans can create a society based on co-operation, freedom and equality. Do you think it is possible?
Main Marxist concepts: View of human nature
Ideological domination
Class conflict
HE Access: Sociological Perspectives.
7
Introduction to Marxism
Alienation
Hegemony
Revolution
Marxist Acronym:
P R O F A B I C H
HE Access: Sociological Perspectives.
8
Introduction to Marxism
Neo-Marxists Antonio Gramsci The Italian neo-Marxist Gramsci attempted to understand ‘why’ the Marxist revolution didn’t escalate and expand throughout the whole of Europe. In response to this, he developed the concept of ‘hegemony’ – essentially, the illusion of choice [i.e. people are socialised into accepting the social order – to a point where they actively support it, even though it is against their own interests] For Gramsci this is created through ‘civil society’ – those institutions other than state institutions that create our communities and social life. [trade unions, cultural institutions etc.] Through the process of hegemony we accept [and to a certain extent support] the capitalist system as it offers us slight rewards and ‘empty’ incentives; we therefore do not change the system as we think it is always going to get better. Gramsci, still upheld a belief in the ability of the oppressed to rise-up against the system; he believed this still could happen if the proletariat developed a revolutionary consciousness.
HE Access: Sociological Perspectives.
9
Introduction to Marxism
The Frankfurt School. [Theorists: Theodore Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Herbert Marcuse, Erich Fromm, Walter Benjamin.] Whereas previous Marxists still believe in the possibility of social change - another strand of neo-Marxism, the Frankfurt school argued that this can never be the case; this is because the ideological structure of capitalist society is too strong & effective: The Frankfurt school consisted of Jewish academics who exiled themselves to America in order to escape Nazi Germany; most returned to Germany after the war, some stayed in US. They attempted to combine psychoanalysis with Marxism in order to account for Marx’s lack of emphasis upon the individual – especially with regard to ‘revolution’. Re-cap on Freud’s main ideas about the human personality:
HE Access: Sociological Perspectives.
10
Introduction to Marxism
They generally argue that people will never be able to break out of the modes of thought control in the capitalist system, which consist of the following: 1. ‘Instrumental reason’ - the practice of instrumental reason separates fact & ‘value’. It is concerned with how to do things not what should be done. 2. ‘Mass culture’ - popular culture trivialises life & the order of society. Mindless entertainment, glitz, gossip & fashion prevail over real meaningful issues. 3. People ‘consume’ the aspects of their personality [see Marcuse below].
Adorno developed the concept of commodity fetishism. This attempted to explain how the materialism of capitalism feeds the selfish drives and impulses of the Ego. We base our own individual identities upon the commodities capitalism produces. Marcuse developed the ‘One Dimensional Man’ concept; this argues that life in capitalist societies becomes one dimensional only operating on a materialistic level; idealistic and ‘spiritual’ levels become obsolete. This theory re-evaluates the position of the individual in relation to Marxism and the concept of revolution: To bring about a revolution, would need individual people to confront their own personalities, their own immediate cycle of life and meaning system – and change them! Is this possible?
HE Access: Sociological Perspectives.
11