Socialsmo o Muerte
19th March 2003, 20:47
I've studied Sociology for A-Level and we did a module explaining different theories of the state and power.
I know the idea of sociology just with many subjects, like History, is to be analytical and critical etc. But the Marxist theory of the state has, especially of late, been proven absolutly correct.
2 of the main points for example;
1) THE STATE AND THOSE IN POWER ARE RESTRICTED AND, TO SOME EXTENT, GOVERNED BY MULTINATIONAL GIANTS:
At the moment, it seems quite clear that oil and oil companies are dictating the war and shaping how this war is going to happen
2) THE RULERS ENFORCE THEIR VALUES AND BELIEFS ONTO THE PUBLIC, BOTH ON THE WHOLE AND WITH CERTAIN ISSUES i.e. GRAMSCI'S "HEGEMONY" OR MARX'S "FALSE CONSCIOUSNESS"
Capitalist ideology has been forced into acceptance by legitimate means in every western state. And with the current war, the amount of people who are for it now compared to when all this talk of war started has risen massively. The dual consiousness which exists amongst thepeople is clear to see; an acceptance of capitalism whilst still knowing and recognising that some people are far too rich and powerful. The threat of arrest, unemployment or poverty put people off revolting.
I have often been critical of Marxism for many things. In many ways it is too deterministic in presuming dominance of the economy. Sometimes the theory is also way too simplistic. However the theory of the state is spot on and, a word you should never use in analytical subjects, 'correct'.
I know the idea of sociology just with many subjects, like History, is to be analytical and critical etc. But the Marxist theory of the state has, especially of late, been proven absolutly correct.
2 of the main points for example;
1) THE STATE AND THOSE IN POWER ARE RESTRICTED AND, TO SOME EXTENT, GOVERNED BY MULTINATIONAL GIANTS:
At the moment, it seems quite clear that oil and oil companies are dictating the war and shaping how this war is going to happen
2) THE RULERS ENFORCE THEIR VALUES AND BELIEFS ONTO THE PUBLIC, BOTH ON THE WHOLE AND WITH CERTAIN ISSUES i.e. GRAMSCI'S "HEGEMONY" OR MARX'S "FALSE CONSCIOUSNESS"
Capitalist ideology has been forced into acceptance by legitimate means in every western state. And with the current war, the amount of people who are for it now compared to when all this talk of war started has risen massively. The dual consiousness which exists amongst thepeople is clear to see; an acceptance of capitalism whilst still knowing and recognising that some people are far too rich and powerful. The threat of arrest, unemployment or poverty put people off revolting.
I have often been critical of Marxism for many things. In many ways it is too deterministic in presuming dominance of the economy. Sometimes the theory is also way too simplistic. However the theory of the state is spot on and, a word you should never use in analytical subjects, 'correct'.