Originated with KARL MARX 1867 http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/marx_karl.shtml
http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/marx.HTML
http://www.history.com/topics/karl-marx

Sees society as being based in conflict (direct contrast to Functionalism and Consensus Structuralism)

For Marxist theory the economy is the base (foundation) of society i.e. the BASE STRUCTURE whilst other institutions are the SUPERSTRUCTURE e.g. family, education, the media etc.

The superstructure helps to legitimise the position of the ruling class.

Gramsci focused more on choices or individual AGENCY (we'll revisit this concept at a later date).

Social control comes from ideas - HEGEMONY. Ruling class owns the means to produce ideas - helps to maintain power. However, the proletariat are aware of injustice at the same time as being influenced by ruling class ideology.

Revolution will need to come from ideas, not economic dissatisfaction.

Althusser thought there were no new ideas - ISAs (ideological state apparatus) make us believe we can form new ideas, but really, there aren't any.

Different to Marx - Althusser believes that the economy, politics and ideology are all equally important. They are connected to each other but generally independent. A revolution will happen when all three contradict each other.

SYSTEMS
Economic - producing all material goods
Political - organising society
Ideological - providing ideas and beliefs

Althusser believes society to be more complex than Marx's view.

Repressive state apparatus - police & army
Ideological state apparatus - education, media, religion

Three neo-Marxists: Marcuse (1964/1991), Horkheimer (1974), Adorno (1991) generally criticising Marx for his economic determinism (belief that the economy is more important than anything else)

Discussing impact of the ability of an individual to CHOOSE, that individuals have AGENCY rather than the application of STRUCTURE.

Adorno - INSTRUMENTAL REASON: goals (earning money etc.) are rational but reason for those financially motivated goals is not explored

Marcuse - MASS CULTURE: Marx ignored importance of mass media in his writing, media very important in controlling the masses

All three - OPPRESSION OF PERSONALITY: individual personality/desire controlled to benefit capitalism.

too deterministic

ignores other forms of conflict

fall of Communism shows that Communism doesn't work (but was it true communism to begin with?)

there is a lack of conflict in Western society (!?) due to increased affluence (??) and increased consensus (impact of media?)