Marxism 2
Sociology: AQA GCSE, topic 1.2.2
Social Institutions
Marxism views the family, the criminal justice system and the education system as tools of capitalism.
The family
- Marxism views the family as a tool of capitalism, or part of an ideological state apparatus (an agency that spreads the dominant capitalist ideology), by producing a workforce that reinforces the capitalist view and provides a population that are easily controlled and exploited.
The criminal justice system
- Marxists view the criminal justice system as another agency of the state and the police as part of the repressive state apparatus who are used to control the population.
- They argue that the role of the courts and judges is to control the proletariat, who are much more likely to be imprisoned than the ruling bourgeoisie.
Education
- Education, according to Marxists, is another ideological state apparatus that enforces capitalist ideals to produce a passive and obedient workforce.
Criticisms of Marx
Marxism is a fairly extreme ideology which leaves it open to criticism.
Economic divisions
- Although Marx saw social class as being based on economic divisions, others (for example, Weber) argued that class is also based on status (social standing or prestige) differences between groups.
Gender and ethnicity
- Marx overlooked social and economic divisions based on gender and ethnicity.
Out-dated
- Critics argue that a revolution has not happened in capitalist societies, such as Britain, and that Marxism is now out-dated.
Test yourself on Marxism 2
What was NOT something overlooked by Marx?