Limitations and strengths of Marxist theory Critics argue that Marxism is just another ideology (despite claims by some that historical materialism is an objective science). Some Marxists are accused of being 'too doctrinaire'. Fundamentalist Marxism is crudely deterministic, and also reductionist in its 'materialism', allowing little scope for human agency and subjectivity. Marxism is often seen as 'grand theory', eschewing empirical research. However, research in the Marxist 'political economy' tradition in particular does employ empirical methods.
Outline the postmodernist view of the role of Education Postmodernists take a diversity approach when considering the role of education. They argue that the Marxist view is outdated and that society has entered a new postmodern phase. Marxists believe that capitalism cannot function without a workforce that is willing to accept exploitation. They also see education as reproducing and legitimating class inequality. Postmodernists reject this view of Marxism, that we still live in a two-class society and the claim that education reproduces class inequality.
Durkheim sees anomie as responsible for the world’s disorder of economics- the lack of morality and regulation resulted in overpowering the weak; thus, he feels that only norms can prevent the abuse of power and calls for regulation and equal opportunity from birth- the greater the equal opportunity the less need for restraint. Marx looked at how capitalism separated humanity by making work a simple means of individual existence. In addition he describes society in terms of class and economic conflicts. Marx saw proletariat or people of a working class as being underneath the bourgeoisie or the capitalist of a modern society. Marx looked at how alienation of production of commodities by workers also leads to alienation of social life.
Structural theories such as functionalism and Marxism are macro (large scale), and deterministic: they see society as a real thing existing over and above us, shaping our ideas and behaviour – individuals are like puppets, manipulated by society. Social action theorists use qualitative research methods to gather an in-depth understanding of human behaviour and the reasons behind such behaviour. This method investigates the why and how of decision making, not just what, where and when, for example, covert or overt participant observations and unstructured interviews. Structural approaches use methods that are scientific, as they want quantitative data (e.g. questionnaires and surveys).
Instead of studying social economics as a whole, other social sciences may study about the distribution of economic goods and how it affects an individual. In other words, a sociologist emphasizes social behavior, but a psychologist will focus more on individual behavior. Karl Marx believed that economics was the underlying key to understanding human society. His idea was that social conflict leads to change in society. Conflict resulted from the struggles of different social classes over the means of production.
It is the universal whore, the pander between men and peoples.’ Karl Marx, ‘the economic and philosophical manuscripts’ (1844). This is saying that money makes society function, it not only binds us together, but separates those who have it and those who don’t. - The issue of storytelling, how stories are received, who they serve, is an important theme in Othello - Individuals create stories about themselves to establish an identity  sometimes our stories are imposed on us - Othello states he ‘Saw the handkerchief’ (Act 5, Sc2, Ln66), but what he really saw was a mute fact – facts are meaningless until placed into context – Othello used the wrong story to interpret what he saw. He takes Iago’s lies as facts, believes everything else - Marxism emphasizes the link between power  storytelling  economics. Eg.
Weber on the Spirit of Capitalism and its Questionable Utility to Society Weber, in his book, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, aims to examine the motivations as well as the events behind the formation of the spirit of capitalism. The development of the spirit of capitalism, as described by Weber, can be understood as a facet of the development of economic rationalism1. At the same time, he believes that the ‘Protestant Ethic’ was vital for the perpetuation of the capitalist spirit. However, a problem arises because the ‘Protestant Ethic’ - or any religious/fanatic basis for that matter – transcends (or ignores) rational thought. His task, therefore, is to identify the roots of the spirit of capitalism with respect to the Protestant Ethic.
An Outline of the Marxist Perspective on the Role of Education in Legitimizing Inequality In this essay I am going to examine the Marxist view that the role of the education system is to reproduce and justify the existing class structure. Marxists see capitalist society as being ruled by the economy. The minority, the ruling class or 'bourgeoisie' rule the majority, namely the workers or 'proletariat'. The bourgeoisie have the wealth and the power to rule. The proletariat is exploited because they are not treated fairly and this is the basis of class inequality During the nineteenth centaury there was much progress and support for the extension of education which was supported by those with a communist view point.
“A different species.” To what extent is America presented as divided along class lines in A Streetcar Named Desire and The Great Gatsby? As proven by the age of McCarthyism and the subsequent Cold War, Marxist and American ideology are fundamentally contradictory to one another in their beliefs and ideals. Nevertheless, a Marxist literary theory applied to American literature is key to uncovering Capitalist society’s dissatisfaction with itself, and exposes a “dark underbelly” to the supposedly ‘Golden 20s’. Both The Great Gatsby and A Streetcar Named Desire, represent the class divide as inciting jealousy, hope, and despair in those wishing to achieve the symbolic American dream, whilst additionally questioning the morality of the dream itself. Interestingly, the two works are set either side of the Great Depression, each an iconic epitome of the respective classes they portray.
Marxists see society as based on unequal class conflict between the two social classes; the capitalist class, who owns the means of production and the working class whose labour the capitalists exploit for mere profit and power. Marxists have identified several functions that they see the family as fulfilling all for the needs for capitalism. One of these functions the Marxists believes keeps society in a ruling class ideology is the inheritance of property. The key factor, according to Marxists, in shaping society is the mode of production which includes who controls and owns societies as well as productive forces such as tools, machinery, raw materials, land and labour. Karl Marx stated that the earliest, classless society was almost “primitive communism” where there was no private property and all members of society owned the means of production communally.