MarxismMarxism Karl MarxKarl Marx

1818 – 18831818 – 1883

Antonio GramsciAntonio Gramsci

1899 -19371899 -1937http://www.youtubhttp://www.youtub

e.com/watch?e.com/watch?v=-v=-Lek5QW64Jw&fLek5QW64Jw&feature=relatedeature=related

Marxism – Still Popular After all Marxism – Still Popular After all These Years!These Years!

(And perhaps more relevant than ever…)(And perhaps more relevant than ever…) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/0http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/0

4/the-return-of-marxism4/the-return-of-marxism

Confl ictConfl ictTheoryTheory

For Marxists, social confl ict is based on For Marxists, social confl ict is based on structured class structured class inequalit iesinequalit ies . Unlike . Unlike Consensus theories, the various social Consensus theories, the various social groups of society groups of society only appear only appear to share to share mutual interests. mutual interests.

In fact, social classes exist in a In fact, social classes exist in a permanent state of – sometimes hidden, permanent state of – sometimes hidden, sometimes open – hosti l i ty. sometimes open – hosti l i ty.

Karl MarxKarl Marx

““ ...the social relations people enter into by ...the social relations people enter into by participating in economic l i fe…” participating in economic l i fe…” create create

an economic category/social an economic category/social phenomenon known as phenomenon known as social classsocial class . .

What class you belong to determines what What class you belong to determines what l i fe opportunities you wil l have, and how l ife opportunities you wil l have, and how

much influence (‘power’) you have.much influence (‘power’) you have.And the class you belong to depends on And the class you belong to depends on your your relation to the means of production.relation to the means of production.

Base and SuperstructureBase and Superstructure

MarxismMarxism Emphasis on productionEmphasis on production – –

what system human what system human societ ies choose to produce societ ies choose to produce and distr ibute goods and and distr ibute goods and services determines all other services determines all other aspects of social l i fe.aspects of social l i fe.

…… And infrastructureAnd infrastructure – the – the economic economic basebase of all of al l societ ies globally is societ ies globally is characterised by characterised by private private property property and the and the profit profit motivemotive , where economic , where economic activity is for the purposes of activity is for the purposes of individual enrichment rather individual enrichment rather than collect ive need, and than collect ive need, and land, machinery and al l the land, machinery and al l the resources of the earth can resources of the earth can be claimed by wealthy be claimed by wealthy individuals as their legal individuals as their legal property. property.

MarxismMarxism SuperstructureSuperstructure – the – the

inst itut ions of society:inst itut ions of society:polit ical, legal, rel igious, polit ical, legal, rel igious, family, education. family, education.

Al l of these institutions All of these institutions ref lect class interests. ref lect class interests. Contrary to Funct ionalism’s Contrary to Funct ionalism’s case, they do not co-operate case, they do not co-operate for the benefit of al l . Our for the benefit of al l . Our cultures are organised in the cultures are organised in the interests of the ruling class. interests of the ruling class. Choice – whether in our Choice – whether in our media, polit icsmedia, polit ics or education - or education - is but an i l lusion. Ult imately, is but an i l lusion. Ult imately, only one view of how society only one view of how society ought to be organised is ought to be organised is allowed to prevail.al lowed to prevail.

Capitalist CultureCapitalist Culture Like any system, capitalism requires the support, or at least Like any system, capitalism requires the support, or at least

consent of most of the population, for most of the t ime.consent of most of the population, for most of the t ime.

So how, if i t is so corrupt, so unjust and leaves so many l ives So how, if i t is so corrupt, so unjust and leaves so many l ives blighted and unfulf i l led, does it retain the tacit support of the blighted and unfulf i l led, does it retain the tacit support of the very people who ought to be rebell ing against i t?very people who ought to be rebell ing against i t?

The answer l ies in the theory of The answer l ies in the theory of ‘hegemony.’ ‘hegemony.’

The term derives from the Ital ian Marxist Antonio Gramsci. He The term derives from the Ital ian Marxist Antonio Gramsci. He argued that Marxists had to take seriously the culture that argued that Marxists had to take seriously the culture that surrounds us all – music, l i terature, movies, media, science and surrounds us all – music, l i terature, movies, media, science and so on. so on.

I t was control of the symbols and messages (col lect ively known It was control of the symbols and messages (col lect ively known as ‘ ideology’) that meant most of us ‘bought’ into the system. as ‘ ideology’) that meant most of us ‘bought’ into the system. We cannot (or are not permitted to) see an alternative to the We cannot (or are not permitted to) see an alternative to the current order of things.current order of things.

Capitalist CultureCapitalist Culture

‘‘ But hang on, I choose my movies, But hang on, I choose my movies, music, books, clothes etc. as a ful ly music, books, clothes etc. as a ful ly independent individual, don’t I?’independent individual, don’t I?’

Well, yes and no…Well, yes and no…

Capitalist CultureCapitalist Culture Our choices are of course dictated by a press, music and movie Our choices are of course dictated by a press, music and movie

industry owned by bil l ionaires.industry owned by bil l ionaires. Even rebell ion can be packaged and sold back at us.Even rebell ion can be packaged and sold back at us. What high street does not offer the chance for tats, piercings What high street does not offer the chance for tats, piercings

and ‘alternative’ clothing?and ‘alternative’ clothing?

Capitalist CultureCapitalist Culture

As an example of how even our dissent As an example of how even our dissent can be commodified (gutted of radical can be commodified (gutted of radical content and sold back to us as lifestyles content and sold back to us as lifestyles requiring accessories, music, movies etc.), requiring accessories, music, movies etc.), take a look at the following slogans. take a look at the following slogans.

Where do you think they come from, and Where do you think they come from, and what point of view do you think they are what point of view do you think they are expressing?expressing?

Capitalist CultureCapitalist Culture ‘‘Sometimes you Gotta Break the Rules’Sometimes you Gotta Break the Rules’ ‘‘If You Don’t Like the Rules, Change Them’If You Don’t Like the Rules, Change Them’ ‘‘The Rules Have Changed’The Rules Have Changed’ The Art of ChangingThe Art of Changing ‘‘There’s No One Way to Do It’There’s No One Way to Do It’ This is Different. Different is Good’This is Different. Different is Good’ ‘‘The Line Has Been Crossed. The New Revolutionary…’The Line Has Been Crossed. The New Revolutionary…’ ‘‘Resist the Usual’Resist the Usual’ ‘‘Innovate Don’t ImitateInnovate Don’t Imitate ‘‘Chart Your Own Course’Chart Your Own Course’ ‘‘It Separates You From the Crowd’It Separates You From the Crowd’

Capitalist CultureCapitalist Culture In order, those were advertising slogans pitching the following services and In order, those were advertising slogans pitching the following services and

products:products: Burger King, WXRT-FM commercial radio, Dodge, Swatch, Burger King, WXRT-FM commercial radio, Dodge, Swatch,

Levi’s, Arby’s, Special Export Beer, Toyota (the missing word Levi’s, Arby’s, Special Export Beer, Toyota (the missing word was the New Supra), Clash Malt Beer, Hugo Boss, Navigator was the New Supra), Clash Malt Beer, Hugo Boss, Navigator Cologne and f inally Vision Cologne.Cologne and f inally Vision Cologne.

The point of all this is to demonstrate that like any dominant system, The point of all this is to demonstrate that like any dominant system, capitalism will from time to time be threatened by alternative systems, by capitalism will from time to time be threatened by alternative systems, by movements of people for whom the system is simply not working (often, the movements of people for whom the system is simply not working (often, the majority of us).majority of us).

One way it has recently found to diffuse such criticisms, is to adopt some of One way it has recently found to diffuse such criticisms, is to adopt some of the radical language of Marxists and youth culture and other ‘enemies’ of the radical language of Marxists and youth culture and other ‘enemies’ of the free market, using it to imply that, hey, capitalism is hip to the the free market, using it to imply that, hey, capitalism is hip to the underground too. In fact so much so that only by submitting to inherited underground too. In fact so much so that only by submitting to inherited wealth and privilege, gross inequalities, and a dull and pacifying culture can wealth and privilege, gross inequalities, and a dull and pacifying culture can you be truly ‘down.’ you be truly ‘down.’

Weird, yes?Weird, yes?

Capitalist CultureCapitalist Culture Having considered this, why might it be problematic for Having considered this, why might it be problematic for

John Lydon to accept a lucrative contract to sell butter?John Lydon to accept a lucrative contract to sell butter? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mSE-Iy_tFYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mSE-Iy_tFY Or for the Clash or professor Green to have their songs Or for the Clash or professor Green to have their songs

used for advertising British Airways, or forused for advertising British Airways, or for http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9em16VC8jwIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9em16VC8jwI http://www.youtube.com/user/relentlessenergy?http://www.youtube.com/user/relentlessenergy?

v=PQt7d7556kEv=PQt7d7556kE Bill Hicks had something to say about that!Bill Hicks had something to say about that! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgUWTquztGYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgUWTquztGY

The ‘Relations of Production’The ‘Relations of Production’ The relations of production refer to your objective The relations of production refer to your objective

posit ion within the posit ion within the infrastructure,infrastructure, or or basebase . In other words, . In other words, whether you are whether you are proletariatproletariat – in which case the only – in which case the only power you own is labour power, the sole means by which power you own is labour power, the sole means by which you can place a roof over your head – or you can place a roof over your head – or bourgeoisiebourgeoisie – – the owners of the means of production (land, machinery, the owners of the means of production (land, machinery, tools) for whom we are obliged to work to l ive. tools) for whom we are obliged to work to l ive.

In other words, our labour is exploited not for the In other words, our labour is exploited not for the common good, but for the personal enrichment of a common good, but for the personal enrichment of a minority class. minority class.

MarxismMarxism OwnershipOwnership and and the relat ions of productionthe relat ions of production are the root cause of are the root cause of

inequality and oppression. Although there are a number of other inequality and oppression. Although there are a number of other areas of areas of confl ictconfl ict in society (can you think of examples? ) for in society (can you think of examples? ) for Marx, all social i l ls can be traced, in the f inal analysis, to the Marx, all social i l ls can be traced, in the f inal analysis, to the iniquitous relat ionship between the ‘two great warring classes.’ iniquitous relat ionship between the ‘two great warring classes.’ In fact, ‘ the history of al l hitherto exist ing societ ies is the In fact, ‘ the history of al l hitherto exist ing societ ies is the history of class struggle.’ history of class struggle.’

Weakness Weakness - For this, arguably narrow point of view, Marxists - For this, arguably narrow point of view, Marxists are often crit icised for their perceived ‘determinism.’ They see are often crit icised for their perceived ‘determinism.’ They see all social problems – from mental health to domestic violence to all social problems – from mental health to domestic violence to substance abuse - as a consequence of substance abuse - as a consequence of economiceconomic factors. factors.

Class Exploitation: the EvidenceClass Exploitation: the Evidence

Consider for a moment the record of pay increases in Consider for a moment the record of pay increases in Britain's boardrooms during the same period. Between Britain's boardrooms during the same period. Between 2000 and 2010, the total pay awarded to the top 2000 and 2010, the total pay awarded to the top executives at FTSE 100 companies ballooned by more executives at FTSE 100 companies ballooned by more than 160%, and executive pay in the smaller companies than 160%, and executive pay in the smaller companies in the FTSE 250 increased by 118%, according to Income in the FTSE 250 increased by 118%, according to Income Data Services. Yet, according to poll ing conducted by the Data Services. Yet, according to poll ing conducted by the centre-left pressure group Compass to mark the launch centre-left pressure group Compass to mark the launch of its independent commission into high pay in the private of its independent commission into high pay in the private sector, only 9% of people correctly estimated that the sector, only 9% of people correctly estimated that the average chief executive of a FTSE 100 company is paid average chief executive of a FTSE 100 company is paid more than £4m a year.more than £4m a year.

Why might these figures be deployed to confirm the Why might these figures be deployed to confirm the Marxist case?Marxist case?

The UK Distribution of Wealth, 1918 – 2005The UK Distribution of Wealth, 1918 – 2005That’s Progress!?That’s Progress!?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jul/21/glohttp://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jul/21/global-elite-tax-offshore-economybal-elite-tax-offshore-economy

Strengths and Strengths and Weaknesses of MarxismWeaknesses of Marxism

STRENGTHSSTRENGTHS * Clear explanation for social confl ict/ inequalit ies.* Clear explanation for social confl ict/ inequalit ies.

* Challenges inequalit ies* Challenges inequalit ies

* Offers an explanation of society as a whole (Structural * Offers an explanation of society as a whole (Structural theory)theory)

* Crit ical analysis of the role of socialising agencies * Crit ical analysis of the role of socialising agencies (superstructure)(superstructure)

* Offers hope to the downtrodden * Offers hope to the downtrodden

* Broad historical overview of human experience* Broad historical overview of human experience

* Neo Marxists suggest * Neo Marxists suggest ‘false consciousness,’ the fet ishising ‘false consciousness,’ the fet ishising of commodit ies, cultural hegemony (monopoly)of commodit ies, cultural hegemony (monopoly) as as explanations for the absence, in advanced capitalist explanations for the absence, in advanced capitalist nations, of Social ist revolut ion.nations, of Social ist revolut ion.

Strengths and Strengths and Weaknesses of MarxismWeaknesses of Marxism

WEAKNESSES WEAKNESSES

* ‘Determinist ic’ view of social behaviour: al l social i l ls can be * ‘Determinist ic’ view of social behaviour: al l social i l ls can be explained by referring to class exploitat ion.explained by referring to class exploitat ion.

* Working classes better off than they were in Marx’s day* Working classes better off than they were in Marx’s day

* Absence of revolut ion in ‘advanced’ capital ist nations* Absence of revolut ion in ‘advanced’ capital ist nations

* Other sources of confl ict in society (such as?)* Other sources of confl ict in society (such as?)

* Fails to account for the emergence and rise of the* Fails to account for the emergence and rise of the middle classes. middle classes.