HSB4U

AN INTRODUCTION TO MARXIST THEORY

KARL MARX

• German philosopher (1818-1883)

• Most notable work is The Communist

Manifesto (1848)

• “All I know is I am no Marxist”

MARX’S VIEWS

Was a materialist – to understand society, we have to understand how it organizes production

Forces of Production – land, technology, skills, knowledge, etc.

Social Relations of Production – who controls the forces of production, and how

The forces of production will come into conflict with the relations of production

CLASS STRUCTURE OF SOCIETY

Those is the top class control the wealth, and those in the lower class do most of the work that produces the wealth = exploitation

This exploitation is the basis of class conflict

Historical examples of class conflict i.e. slave vs slave holder, feudal lord vs peasant; can you think of modern examples??

Capitalists (bourgeoisie) vs workers (proletariat) are Marx’s focus

Bourgeoisie alienates proletariat

THE ECONOMIC BASE AND SUPERSTRUCTURE

Economic Base – the forces and relations of production (i.e. the bourgeoisie and proletariat)

Superstructure – the legal and political structures of society

The economic base influences the superstructure; economic power is the basis of all other types of power

The bourgeoisie, therefore, control society’s institutions to help maintain the status quo (capitalism)

MARX’S CRITIQUE OF CAPITALISM

Capitalism is…

ExploitativeAlienatingUndemocraticIrrationalEnvironmentally destructiveProne to war

DIALECTICAL UNDERSTANDING OF CLASS SOCIETY

Eventually the bourgeoisie and proletariat will conflict giving rise to a new economic system

The large workforce under capitalism will realize they are being exploited, and will mobilize a start a popular revolution

This will create a new social order where the workers are in charge of production

COMMUNISM/SOCIALISM

In his writings, Marx says very little about what a socialist or communist society would look like

What he does say:Cooperation rather than divisionEconomy democratically controlled Social equality exists and all forms of oppression

would disappearThe environment would be respectedNo profits for a minority of peopleWork would be fulfilling

CRITIQUES OF MARXISM

Marx’s theory has failed in practice

Marx’s views are in conflict with human nature

Capitalism has changed since Marx’s day, so his criticisms are no longer relevant

Connections to Other Theories

Conflict Theory

Cultural Materialism

“Citizen Journalism”

Also known as “public,” “participatory,” “democratic,” “guerilla,” or “street” journalism

Citizens play an active role in collecting, reporting, analysing, and disseminating news and information

Made possible by new media technology (social networking, smart phones)

Criticisms: unregulated, too subjective

Application to Our Unit

How might Marxist Theorists view citizen journalism?

Consider “citizen journalism” in light of the unit essential question: have advances in technology been good for people?

As we watch Fruitvale Station, think about the application of Marx’s theory (and Conflict Theory and Cultural Materialism)