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

Answer: Karl Marx was a 19th-century philosopher and sociologist known for developing Marxism, a theory that explains social inequality and the conflict between the working class and the ruling class under capitalism.

Question 2: Describe in your own words what Marx meant by the term 'bourgeoisie'.

Answer: The bourgeoisie refers to the capitalist class who own the means of production and wealth in society.

Question 3: Explain what Marx believed about the relationship between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie.

Answer: Marx believed that the proletariat (working class) is exploited by the bourgeoisie (owners of capital), leading to social conflict and inequality.

Question 4: What is meant by the term 'class conflict' in Marxist theory?

Answer: Class conflict refers to the ongoing struggle between different social classes, particularly between the working class and the owners of capital, over resources and power.

Question 5: List two ways that Marx believed capitalism creates inequality in society.

Answer: Firstly, capitalists own the means of production, which allows them to accumulate wealth while workers earn wages. Secondly, workers have limited control over their work and are paid less than the value of what they produce.

Question 6: Describe what Marx thought about the future of capitalism and society.

Answer: Marx believed that capitalism would eventually lead to its own downfall due to increasing inequality and class struggle, eventually being replaced by a classless society through a proletarian revolution.

Question 7: Draw a simple diagram illustrating the relationship between the proletariat and bourgeoisie according to Marxist theory. Label the key parts clearly.

Answer: A correct sketch would show two groups: the bourgeoisie at the top owning production and capital, and the proletariat below working for wages, with arrows indicating the exploitation and conflict between them.

Question 8: Sketch a representation of a capitalist society from a Marxist perspective. Use labels to identify the different classes and their roles.

Answer: The sketch should depict a social hierarchy with the bourgeoisie at the top, the proletariat below, and possibly other classes like the petty bourgeoisie or lumpenproletariat, with annotations describing their roles.

Question 9: How does Marxism view the idea of social change? Briefly explain.

Answer: Marxism views social change as a result of class conflict, leading to revolutionary change where the working class overthrow the ruling class to establish a classless society.

Question 10: In what ways might Marxist ideas be relevant to understanding social inequality today?

Answer: Marxist ideas help explain how economic systems and ownership of resources contribute to ongoing inequality, poverty, and social conflict in modern societies.