SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY:

MARXISM.

This is Karl MARX.1. Society is in a state of CONFLICT

between the rich and the poor.2. Society uses a system called

CAPITALISM to keep the rich - rich and the poor – poor.

3. CAPITALISM is an economic system where a small minority of society own the FORCES OF PRODUCTION (factories & information).

4. This minority is called the RULING CLASS (or the BOURGEOSIE) – they employ people to work for them to produce goods that they sell.

5. Marx called this arrangement the RELATIONS OF PRODUCTION and argued it EXPLOITED the SUBJECT

CLASS (or the PROLETARIAT).

Strengths of Marxism….

Emphasises the importance of the economy unlike functionalism.

Marxism has been a major influence on Sociology.

Acknowledges what people think of the way in which society is organised and their place in it – acknowledges alienation.

It is seen as too economically focussed; everything revolves around money.

Classic Marxism has ignored the role of women in society.

Society doesn’t always operate in the interests of the ruling class.

What might a Marxist think about this?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joaFOU2EYQE&feature=related = Organ harvesting.

What is this video trying to say about capitalism?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH_DkBI9Qsk

– We Want Your Soul.

Capitalism

• Sum up who is represented in each stage

• What is the image attempting to say?

• How could we replace the people in the image to represent the modern world?

MARXISM & YOUTH CULTURE

Marxism & Youth Culture

Marxism & Youth Culture:

• Jefferson (1976) researched the Teddy Boys of the 1950’s

• Jefferson noted that Teddy Boys wore clothes that would give them higher status

Marxism & Youth Culture

• Phil Cohen (1972) studied skinheads

• P Cohen thought that skinheads emerged as a reaction to the decline of working class communities

• Skinheads recreated the working class culture by dressing in a particular manner and by acting in an aggressive way

Marxism & Youth Culture

• Hebdige (1979) examined the style of the Punk subculture

• Hebdige noted that Punk subculture seemed to be about rejecting conventional norms and values

• In this respect, Hebdige believes that those who belong to the Punk subculture were rejecting the identities that were available to them