Sociology
2. The Role of Education in Society
2) Marxist perspective of Education
Marxist perspective of Education
Marxism views capitalism as a dialectic relationship and interactions within society through the
internal contractions in the system of material production. He saw the those at the top of the
hierarchy as being controlling and creating exploitation – he felt this exploitation alongside advances
(experienced at the onset of the industrial revolution) in technology would create overproduction
and crisis for the system of capitalism. This system he thought was unstable and easily damageable.
Marxists argue education functions to maintain the interests of those dominant within society and
help the perpetuance of capitalism. They see class division and capitalist exploitation as being
desensitised and entrenched by the institution. Whilst the underlying principle of Marxism is the
proletariat rising up against the bourgeoisie, creating a classless and equal society, however, this is
regarded by Marxists as an arduous task due to the ruling class (bourgeoisie) controlling the state
and thus institutions such as the Education System.
2. The Role of Education in Society
2) Marxist perspective of Education
Marxist perspective of Education
Marxism views capitalism as a dialectic relationship and interactions within society through the
internal contractions in the system of material production. He saw the those at the top of the
hierarchy as being controlling and creating exploitation – he felt this exploitation alongside advances
(experienced at the onset of the industrial revolution) in technology would create overproduction
and crisis for the system of capitalism. This system he thought was unstable and easily damageable.
Marxists argue education functions to maintain the interests of those dominant within society and
help the perpetuance of capitalism. They see class division and capitalist exploitation as being
desensitised and entrenched by the institution. Whilst the underlying principle of Marxism is the
proletariat rising up against the bourgeoisie, creating a classless and equal society, however, this is
regarded by Marxists as an arduous task due to the ruling class (bourgeoisie) controlling the state
and thus institutions such as the Education System.
