Marxism

Below are the answers to checkpoints 1 and 2 from the Marxism sheet:
Checkpoint 1: What is the difference between the Proletariat and Bourgeoisie? The Bourgeoisie are the owners of the means of production. These people fall into either of the two catergories: the wealthy bourgeoisie who do not work themselves but employ others for example Bill Gates, the petty bourgeoisie who also have high status and employ people to work for them but also do the work themselves an example of this is managing directors or team leaders. On the other hand, the Proletariat are usually working class who get expoilted by the the higher status and higher classes they are also associated to be blue collar workers or even worse scroungers.

Checkpoint 2: What is the difference between the ISA and RSA? The ISA ideological state apparatus are institutions which pass down norms and values they are usually informal and many people are unaware of them for example religion, family,education and political systems. On the other hand, RSA repressive state apparatus who still pass down norms and values but they are more formal for example the police.

How much of a Marxist am I?
Well i would like to believe that I am not much of a Marxist as i feel that your social class should not hinder any of your chances in life. However the reality is that there are major class conflict within society and as Althusser stated the working class are constantly getting expoilted. But this is obviously a good thing for the Bourgeoisie as they pay low wages but income is always on the rise therefore profits are always high. Furthermore the ISA and RSA help maintain Bourgeoisie ideologies for example the education system has a teacher who has power compared to a student. Therefore students are told from a young age that there will always be someone above them in status even when they enter the world of work. I believe to a certain extent that this is wrong however by doing this it help to keep social order but then again it does not provide equality. The ISA and their institutions like the media inforce someones iable. Overall, i dont like the fact that individuals have different chances in life due to their social status. Also, large media institutions that inforce their views on us as the consumers. There will always be a class conflict in society which will never be solved.