AN INTRODUCTION TO MARXIST THEORY HSB 4 U

KARL MARX • German philosopher (18181883) • 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… Exploitative Alienating Undemocratic Irrational Environmentally destructive Prone 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 division Economy democratically controlled Social equality exists and all forms of oppression would disappear The environment would be respected No profits for a minority of people Work 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)