Class Consciousness and Marx Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is class consciousness?

Knowing your own material, economic interests.

What is false consciousness?

Not knowing and working against your own material, economic interests.

Why does Marx believe social change occurs?

Because of struggle/competition between the classes within a society.

What does the ruling class always try to create?

A false consciousness. Signup and view all the answers

What helps create a false consciousness?

The media. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Wealth = How much you own (items + $ in the bank) Income = Wages Proletariat = Workers who do not own means of production Bourgeoisie = Owners of the means of production Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx study?

Capitalism and class. Signup and view all the answers

What was the aim of Marx?

The overthrow of bourgeois rule. Signup and view all the answers

Class is a function of what?

Ownership and control. Signup and view all the answers

Name the three classes identified by Marx.

Proletariat, bourgeoisie, petty bourgeoisie. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the bourgeoisie?

Owners of the means of production who want maximum profit. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the proletariat?

Workers who do not own means of production. Signup and view all the answers

What is a petty bourgeoisie?

Small businesses, professionals, self-employed. Signup and view all the answers

Who is on the same side as proletarians?

Communists. Signup and view all the answers

What is the aim of communists?

To overthrow bourgeois supremacy. Signup and view all the answers

What are the means of production?

Land, labor, capital, management. Signup and view all the answers

What is capitalist exploitation?

Workers own no capital and sell/rent their labor power. Signup and view all the answers

What is capitalist accumulation?

Capitalists reinvest to acquire more. Signup and view all the answers

What are social relations of production?

Where you are in the capitalist system. Signup and view all the answers

The rate of exploitation is a matter of ______.

degree. Signup and view all the answers

What are contradictions of capitalism?

Capital and labor are in a contradictory antagonistic relationship. Signup and view all the answers

What is Marx's basic contradiction of capitalists?

Labor vs. capital. Signup and view all the answers

What is the equation of capitalism?

Profit maximization = cost minimization. Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote the Communist Manifesto?

Marx and Engels. Signup and view all the answers

What is Dialectical Materialism?

Thesis + antithesis = synthesis. Signup and view all the answers

Thoulia refers to ______.

Slavery. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Locomotive of History refer to?

Desire of capitalism to revolutionize technology. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of economic systems described in the birthday party analogy?

Communism Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

Base = Economy and productive relationships Superstructure = Social institutions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Class Consciousness and False Consciousness

Class consciousness: Awareness of one's own material and economic interests.
False consciousness: Lack of awareness of one's own material and economic interests, often working against them.

Social change is driven by struggles and competition between social classes.
The ruling class aims to maintain control by creating a false consciousness among the masses.

The Role of Media

Media serves as a tool in fostering false consciousness by presenting society as ideal or unproblematic.

Wealth vs. Income

Wealth: Total value of owned assets, including cash and property.
Income: Earnings received typically in the form of wages.

Marx's Focus

Studied capitalism and class structures.
Aimed for the overthrow of bourgeois rule.

Class Structure

Three main classes:
- Proletariat: Workers lacking ownership of the means of production.
- Bourgeoisie: Owners of production seeking maximum profit.
- Petty bourgeoisie: Small business owners and professionals.

Worker Solidarity

Communists align with the proletariat, advocating for their common interests globally.

Communist Objectives

Goals include the overthrow of bourgeois dominance fueled by exploitation of labor.

Means of Production

Comprised of land, labor, capital, and management essentials for economic production.

Exploitation and Value

Capitalist exploitation is rooted in the labor theory of value, where workers sell their labor power for wages below the value they produce, creating surplus value.

Capital Accumulation

Capitalists reinvest profits to increase wealth and production.

Defines positions within the capitalist system and the relationships among economic players.

Contradictions of Capitalism

Capital and labor exist in a contradictory, antagonistic state where the gain of one results in the loss of the other.

Core Conflict

Marx posited a fundamental contradiction between labor and capital.

Equation of Capitalism

Profit maximization is directly linked to cost minimization strategies.

Historical Context

Communist Manifesto: Co-authored by Marx and Engels, outlining the principles of communism.
Dialectical Materialism: Based on Hegel’s philosophy, it suggests that societal changes result from the conflict of opposing forces leading to a new synthesis.

Concept of History

Marx described capitalism as a "locomotive of history," emphasizing its role in advancing technology and social change.

Birthday Party Analogy

Socialism: Distribution based on ability and contribution.
Communism: Distribution based on need, prioritizing equitable outcomes.
Capitalism: Markets determine distribution with minimal regulation.

Base and Superstructure

Base: The economic foundation of society, composed of productive relationships.
Superstructure: All societal institutions (politics, law, culture) that emerge from the economic base, illustrating a reciprocal relationship.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts related to class consciousness and Marxist theory. This quiz covers definitions and theories on social change and economic interests as proposed by Marx. Perfect for students studying Marxian concepts in sociology or political science.