False Consciousness: This is a state where the proletariat is unaware of their exploitation and accepts the status quo as natural or fair, often due to the influence of ruling class ideology.
Alienation: Under capitalism, workers feel a sense of powerlessness and lack of control because they do not own what they produce and their work is repetitive and meaningless.
Class Consciousness: This occurs when the proletariat recognizes their shared exploitation and develops a collective identity, which is a necessary prerequisite for social change.
Meritocracy as Ideology: Marxists argue that the idea of 'success through hard work' is a myth used to blame individuals for their poverty rather than the capitalist system.
The Crisis of Capitalism: Marx predicted that capitalism would face increasing internal contradictions, such as falling wages and worsening conditions for workers.
Revolution: Once class consciousness is achieved, the proletariat will unite to overthrow the bourgeoisie in a violent or structural revolution.
Communism: The ultimate goal is a classless, stateless society where the means of production are owned collectively, and the principle of 'from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs' applies.
Abolition of Private Property: In a communist society, private ownership of the means of production is replaced by social ownership to end exploitation.
| Feature | Marxism | Functionalism |
|---|---|---|
| View of Society | Conflict-based and unequal | Consensus-based and stable |
| Role of Institutions | Serve the ruling class | Serve the needs of society as a whole |
| Social Change | Occurs through revolution | Occurs through gradual evolution |
| Inequality | Exploitative and unnecessary | Functional and necessary for motivation |
Proletariat vs. Bourgeoisie: The fundamental distinction is ownership; the bourgeoisie own the capital and tools, while the proletariat own only their ability to work.
Economic Determinism vs. Relative Autonomy: Traditional Marxism argues the economy strictly dictates society, whereas modern views allow for more complex interactions between culture and economics.
Identify the 'Base': When analyzing a social institution (like education), always start by identifying how it serves the economic interests of the ruling class.
Use the 'Economic Determinism' Critique: A common high-mark strategy is to evaluate Marxism by arguing it places too much emphasis on the economy and ignores other factors like gender or ethnicity.
Check for False Consciousness: Look for examples where people accept inequality as 'common sense'—this is a prime indicator of ruling class ideological control.
Verify the Prediction: Remember that Marx's prediction of revolution in advanced capitalist countries (like the UK) has not yet occurred, which is a key point for evaluation.
