2. Aim of the session is to:
Introduce you to the
Sociological Perspective
of Marxism & consider
the key principles &
Concepts underpinning
this theory.

3. Key concepts we will be considering:
Conflict Surplus Value
Capitalism Means of production
Proletariat Economic base
Bourgeoisie Super structure
Ideology Exploited
Ideological State
Apparatus
Communism

4. By the end of the lesson you should all:
•Have a basic knowledge & understanding
of Marx’s social theory
•Be able to summarize the Marxist
perspective of a capitalist society
•Identify key terminology and start to be
able to spell & define these key concepts.

5. Brief clip introducing
social theory from Marx
http://youtu.be/1ztVeUX8Hpo

6. Marxism
Like the Functionalist perspective, Marxism is a
structural theory
Meaning that they both believe that we are born into a
Society that has existing rules & patterns of behaviour that
shape how we behave & live our lives.
In essence, we have to learn how to join in properly through
The process of socialisation.

7. However........
Where Marxism differs from Functionalism is to
do with what they say society’s rules are based
on.
Functionalist argue that society is built on a
value consensus or agreement
Whereas Marx argues that society is based on
conflict & exploitation

8. This is Karl Marx: The father of the Marxist
Perspective & an important thinker of modern
times
• Marx basically argues
that since
industrialisation, society
is in a state of conflict
between the rich & the
poor because these social
groups have unequal
power.

9. These 2 social groups are called
The Bourgeoisie
&
The Proletariat
Ruling Class & owners of the modes
of production
Working class
Add these to your handouts

10. According to Marx, society
has passed through several
periods in which different
economic systems or
methods of production have
been dominant.

11. Marx argues that the final stage of development
which happened alongside the industrialisation
process, led to the creation of a capitalist
society .
This was because the methods of production
moved from being agricultural to factory &
Industry based.

12. So – how have we ended up with
CAPITALISM?
Marx proposed the idea that our
society has gone through the
following stages:
PRIMITIVE COMMUNISM
SLAVERY
FEUDALISM
CAPITALISM

13. Industrialisation meant that power in
Society fell into the hands of the wealthy,
Because they were the ones who owned
Most of the land, could afford machinery,
Build factories & own big businesses &
they also employed the people to work for
them.

14. Capitalism explained in short:
We live in a Capitalist society, meaning that our economy is based
on business, trade & consumption with an aim at making big profits
Those who are poorer (Proletariat working class) & have limited access
to owning the modes of production (Factories, Mills, businesses) are
forced into working for the owners of the means of production
(The Bourgeoisie) who have wealth, money, are business men or a
members of the government).
Although the workers receive a wage for producing the goods that
consumers need & want, the goods are sold at a profit, for more than it
Cost to make, and this surplus value goes straight back into
The pockets of the ‘fat cats’

15. Starting to define Key concepts :
Conflict Surplus Value
Capitalism Means of production
Proletariat Economic base
Bourgeoisie Super structure
Ideology Exploited
Ideological State
Apparatus
Communism
As we go through the
next slides add definitions
for these

17. Well firstly, industrialisation meant that
families no longer worked on their own
land or produced their own goods
And because they couldn’t compete
With the means of mass production
They didn’t have enough income
Coming in and so they had to seek
Employment elsewhere in towns for the
bourgeoisie.

18. This meant that people
had no choice but to
work for the Capitalist
Bourgeoisie & therefore
had to accept their new
place & role in life.

19. But how do the capitalists
make sure that everyone
Conforms to this new
Status as subservient or
unequal ?

20. From a Marxist perspective, the major
Structures or social institutions in society
(law, religion, Education, The family, media
etc)Play a key role in shaping our beliefs &
limiting our behaviours in order to benefit
Capitalism & maintain the separation
between the Bourgeoisie & the Proletariat
through the process of.........................

21. Why can’t we reject these messages?
Add definition to worksheet

22. This ideology is
transmitted
through various
Ideological State
Apparatus

23. Ideological State Apparatus
A tool or part of society which is
used to encourage people to
accept the values of the ruling
class in order to maintain
capitalism
Add definition to worksheet

24. Ideological State Apparatus: or the
institutions of the super structure
• Education System
• Instilled in you that you
need to have
qualifications in order
to get a good job.
• The hidden curriculum
teaches you to manage
your time, abide by
rules, wear a uniform &
comply.
• Church/religion
• There is a God & if you
accept your fate now
you will be rewarded
richly in your after life.
• It is God’s will

25. Ideological state apparatus
•The Family
•The Mass Media
•Politics

26. Consumerism
Materialistic values
Need to have the latest
gadgets
Designer labels
Pressure to be attractive
Obedience & Loyalty

27. In essence we are conditioned
(through the various ideological state
Apparatus) into believing that we need
the goods that Capitalism produces &
can only prove our worth & status by
working hard & being able to have
material goods around us.
We are in fact feeding capitalism &
keeping the Rich even richer.

28. Marx believes that the only way to end this ideology
is for the workers to revolt & to see a return to
Communism: A system were everyone is equal &
works Together for the benefit of society as a whole.
Add definition to worksheet

29. We would then have a
society where everything
would be owned and
controlled by the people &
not just by the wealthy elite
few
Introducing the smurfs

30. Finishing up our Key concepts:
Conflict Surplus Value
Capitalism Means of production
Proletariat Economic base
Bourgeoisie Super structure
Ideology Exploited
Ideological State
Apparatus
Communism

31.  It’s a Structuralism approach
which does illustrate how the
major institutions are linked.
 Emphasises consumerism
which is relevant in today’s
postmodern society
 Marxism helps to explain
how the values & ideology of
the Bourgeoisie are passed on.
Strengths of Marxism….

32.  Functionalists criticise
Marxism for over-emphasising
conflict when there must be
harmony and shared values for
social order to be possible.
 It is seen as economically
deterministic; everything
revolves around money.
 Classic Marxism has ignored
the role of women in society.
 What revolution?? Russia and
China have actually become
capitalist & turned their backs on
communism.
 Society doesn’t always
operate in the interests of the
ruling class.

33. Plenary Tasks:
Complete all of the tasks
on your worksheet by the
end of the lesson & learn the
New definitions of Marxist key
Concepts for next lesson