Marxism
Based on the works of Karl Marx who developed a critque of society which was both scientific and revolutionary (Das Kapital).
Ideologies: socialism would supersede capitalism which makes profit at the expense of exploited workers (proletariat or do not own the means of production). The bourgeioisie, who own the means of production employ the proletriat.
Marxism and the media: the media maintains social divides/status quo. 'Culture industries' dumb down their output in order to generate mass audiences. It enterains audiences (workers) by subconsiously reaffirming hegemony and capitalist ideology.
Althusser: Ideological state appatratus to maintain bourgeois ideologies i.e religion and education and how they operate to interpellate audiences (presuming ideologies are correct)
Gramsci: hegemony is unquestionned and taken for granted; ruling classes can ensure that they retain hegemonic control.
Williams: rejected 'mass culture' as if it is 'low culture' and 'high culture' i.e. ballet and opera.
Marxist evaluation: Modern/neo-marxists often propose a more realistic interpretation of marxism in the media than classical marxists, yet none of them attempt to explain how these theories can be implemented. I do think there is more of a class consciousness than marxists assume..it's all a bit too deterministic when much of the 'mass audience' is media literate. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that many if not most of media corporations are owned by the ruling class so it is in their interests to maintain hegemony which can provide a sound explanation for why the working class remain working class (despite the small amount of social mobility).
Based on the works of Karl Marx who developed a critque of society which was both scientific and revolutionary (Das Kapital).
Ideologies: socialism would supersede capitalism which makes profit at the expense of exploited workers (proletariat or do not own the means of production). The bourgeioisie, who own the means of production employ the proletriat.
Marxism and the media: the media maintains social divides/status quo. 'Culture industries' dumb down their output in order to generate mass audiences. It enterains audiences (workers) by subconsiously reaffirming hegemony and capitalist ideology.
Althusser: Ideological state appatratus to maintain bourgeois ideologies i.e religion and education and how they operate to interpellate audiences (presuming ideologies are correct)
Gramsci: hegemony is unquestionned and taken for granted; ruling classes can ensure that they retain hegemonic control.
Williams: rejected 'mass culture' as if it is 'low culture' and 'high culture' i.e. ballet and opera.
Marxist evaluation: Modern/neo-marxists often propose a more realistic interpretation of marxism in the media than classical marxists, yet none of them attempt to explain how these theories can be implemented. I do think there is more of a class consciousness than marxists assume..it's all a bit too deterministic when much of the 'mass audience' is media literate. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that many if not most of media corporations are owned by the ruling class so it is in their interests to maintain hegemony which can provide a sound explanation for why the working class remain working class (despite the small amount of social mobility).
posted by Pip at 2:28 PM
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