Marxism Applied to Topics in A-level Sociology

The easiest way for students to prepare for the Theory and Methods parts of the A-Level Sociology Paper 1 and Paper 3 exams is to revise how Marxism applies to the different topic areas usually taught as part of the specification – typically the Family, Education, Religion and Crime and Deviance.

For an overview of these two papers please see my ‘exams advice page’.

This post is a summary of how Marxism applies to these topic areas.

Research Methods Implications

• Scientific Marxism – The purpose of research is to find out more about the laws of Capitalism to see when revolution is ripe
• Requires a Cross National Macro-Approach to social research focusing on economics and how the economy affects society
• Humanistic Marxism – Research can be more varied, focusing on highlighting social injustices in order to make people more critical of Capitalism (Not value free!)

Marxism applied to the family

• Capitalism, Private Property and The Family
• The family as a safe haven

More at the Marxist Perspective on the Family.

Marxism and Education

• The ideological state apparatus
• Reproduction/ Legitimation of class inequality
• Correspondence Principle
• Cultural Capital

More at the Marxist Perspective on Education.

Dependency Theory

• Colonialism and Slavery
• The Modern World System
• Unfair trade rules
• TNC exploitation

More at Dependency Theory .

Marxism applied to Crime and Deviance

• Private Property and Crime
• The costs of Corporate Crime
• Selective Law Enforcement
• Criminogenic Capitalism (‘Dog Eat Dog“ Society)

For more see The Marxist Perspective on Crime and Deviance.

Marxism – more advanced theory

Using what Marxists say about the above topic areas is just one way to approach a theory question on Marxism, another way is to use the work of specific Marxists such as Althusser and Gramsci, and of course Marx himself. These ideas are outlined in this revision post: Marxism A-level Sociology Revision Notes.

For more links to Marxist theory please see my Theory and Methods page for A2 Sociology.