Question 1: Who was Karl Marx and what is he most famous for in sociology?

Answer: Karl Marx was a 19th-century philosopher and sociologist known for developing the theory of Marxism, which explains society through the lens of class struggle between the bourgeoisie (owners) and the proletariat (workers).

Question 2: Explain what is meant by the term 'class struggle' in Marxist theory.

Answer: Class struggle refers to the ongoing conflict between different social classes, primarily between the ruling class (bourgeoisie) who own the means of production and the working class (proletariat) who sell their labour, which Marx believed was the driving force of societal change.

Question 3: Describe how Marxism views the role of capitalism in society.

Answer: Marxism views capitalism as an economic system that exploits workers by generating profit for the owners of production, leading to inequality and social conflict.

Question 4: What is the 'superstructure' according to Marxist theory? Provide two examples.

Answer: The superstructure is the social, political, and ideological systems that are shaped by the economic base. Examples include the government and the media.

Question 5: Draw a simple diagram that illustrates the relationship between the economic base and the superstructure in Marxist theory.

Answer: A correct sketch would show the economic base at the bottom (depicting factories, workers, and capital), with arrows pointing upward to the superstructure (depicting government, laws, media, culture), indicating that the superstructure is influenced by the economic base.

Question 6: Identify and explain one criticism of Marxist theory.

Answer: One criticism is that Marxism predicts inevitable class conflict and revolution, but in many societies, peace and cooperation between classes have persisted, which challenges the theory's predictions.

Question 7: How does Marxism suggest society could be changed for the better?

Answer: Marxism suggests society could be improved through a proletarian revolution that overthrows capitalism, leading to a classless society where resources are shared equally.

Question 8: Sketch a scene that represents a capitalist society and label the key elements involved in class division.

Answer: A correct sketch would include elements such as wealthy business owners or managers in a luxurious office, contrasted with workers in a factory or on a construction site, with labels indicating the bourgeoisie and proletariat, highlighting the class division.

Question 9: Discuss one way Marxist theory explains inequality between different social groups today.

Answer: Marxist theory explains inequality as a result of the economic system that benefits the ruling class, which controls resources and opportunities, leading to persistent social disparities.