Karl Marx, Marxism, A2 Media Studies, Theory

1. Karl Marx

2. Karl Marx
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19th Century Philosopher, Economist,
journalist and revolutionary
He critiqued society which he claimed was
both scientific and revolutionary

3. Marx and Ideology
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Marx’ ideology is closely associated with the
effects theory
He traced the developments of material life
predicting that socialism would supersede
capitalism
Capitalism is based on the profit motive and
under capitalism profits are generated by
exploiting workers

4. Marx and the capitalist society
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Marx said that capitalist society was divided
in to two parts:
Working class – those who sell their labour
and do not own the means of production
Bourgeoisie – employ others and have the
means for production

5. Marxism and media
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Media producers produce texts in this divided
society. Even when they attempt to produce
texts which criticise it – they are still working
within it and therefore accept it.
Mass media are seen as a way of entertaining
workers (mass audience) while drip feeding
them ideologies

6. Althusser
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Identified what he called the Ideological State
Apparatuses (ISA’s), which opperate along side the
Repressive State Apparatuses (military, police etc) to
maintain these Bourgeoisie ideologies:
Religion
education
Family (values)
Legal and political system
Cultural and communication systems

7. 
He studies the ways the ISA’s act to position
the audience in such a way that they presume
that these ideologies are correct

8. Gramsci and Hegemony
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Hegemony – the dominance of the ideologies
of the ruling class
He argued that this process is so successful
that it becomes ‘common sense’ and these
ideologies become taken for granted
By maintaining these ideologies in the media,
the ruling classes can ensure they retain
hegemonic control

9. Conclusion
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This is still evident today with corporate
media companies like Murdoch’s News Corp
and 20th Century Fox
However thanks to technological
developments we are all media producers and
social media allows us to send out our own
messages

10. Conclusion
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This is still evident today with corporate
media companies like Murdoch’s News Corp
and 20th Century Fox
However thanks to technological
developments we are all media producers and
social media allows us to send out our own
messages