Question

According to Marx, Class is structurally determined – what does this mean? How does Marx’s theory of class relate to history and the present - in your answers explain and discuss class consciousness, false consciousness, and ideology.

Answer 1

Answer

In his book the Communist manifesto Karl Marx has divided the population after the advent of industrialization into two classes - Proletariat and Bourgeoisie . He said they are structurally determined on the basis of their economic and political roles. The bourgeoisie is the ruling class and the owners of the factories and all profits. The proletariat is the working class. This theory implies to history as when industrial revolution took place the importance of man labour reduced drastically , then came capitalism where all the wealth is concentrated in the hands of few and all this led to widespread economic crisis in Britain France and many other countries. Karl Marx prophesied that the proletariat will one day take what belongs to them . They will start a revolution so big that they will over throw the bourgeoisie and for some time there will be anarchy and ultimately a state of equality will be established. Socialism is a branch and real life of example of this revolution. In current times people have started questioning the accumulation of wealth with the few people and employees seek higher pay and rights. The proletariat class is gaining awareness of its rights and obligations. But with this awareness the bourgeoisie is trying it's best to keep the Proletariat divided and engaged in trivial matters to keep them from uniting against the ruling class. Communism as an ideology is adapted in countries like China and Russia.

1. False consciousness is a term used—primarily by Marxist sociologists which basically describe ways in which , ideological, material and some other institutional processes are said to misguide the members of the proletariat and other class actors within the capitalist societies, concealing the exploitation intrinsic to the social relations between
2. class consciousness is an awareness or knowledge of Caste system and Social status or standing which is most often based on wealth or family background and history.
3. Example of class consciousness is the thinking of a country private club where only wealthy and rich background people who have had wealth for generations can join.
4. Some other examples associated with the Ideology are Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, and the Green Party. Classical liberalism is a capitalistic ideology which means for a limited government with political freedom, civil liberties and faire economic policies.