Karl Marx and modern day society L/O: To understand key concepts in Marxism and begin to relate them to our own society and citizenship. Who are society’s winners and losers today? Who has the power and how do they keep it?

Who are society’s winners and losers today? Who has the power and how do they keep it?

Meritocracy A system by which we can progress in status through our own hard work. (Merits) Does it really exist? Is it realistic? Is society better or worse with meritocracy? Answer these questions

The bourgeoisie This is the name Karl Marx gave to the upper class people in power. They wanted to keep that power (obviously!) and so they came up with ways of keeping everyone else down. In Marx’s time they were factory or Mill owners, overseers in factories, politicians… Who are the modern-day bourgeoisie? Is it fair to say they exist at all? Even on a global scale..?

The proletariat Is the name Marx gave for the workers. The lower class people who through their hard work (labour) lined the pockets of the bourgeoisie. In Marx’s time they were poor, uneducated and worked hard for pittance. Does the proletariat still exist? Who are they? Has globalisation created a new proletariat? What impact has the welfare system had on them?

Review of keywords: Jeopardy Marx Meritocracy Factory Bourgeoisie Oppression Proletariat Power Globalisation Poverty

Karl Marx L/O: Who was Karl Marx and why do his theories influence views on poverty and power today? Answer the L/O as best you can. At least 1 paragraph. 10 minutes.

Ian Hunt, the director of the Center for Applied Philosophy at the Flinders University of Southern Australia, believes that Marx and his insights into the capitalist system in particular still have a place in contemporary society. "Marx's thoughts on the exploitative nature of the relationship between capitalist employers and their employees ring true today," he said. "The proletariat, or those without property, continues to seek employment from those with property. Control over private investment continues to give the capitalist class decisive influence over government and sufficient control over the supply of labour to ensure that it is sold by employees on terms favourable to the increase of the wealth of employers."

"Marx's analysis of the foundations of a capitalist society raises questions of… The justice of the distribution of wealth, and therefore also of income, in capitalist societies, which are even more acute in the modern world than in his own time,"

How and where do we see Marx’s theories today?

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Marxist politics Task: Devise a manifesto for the modern day if you were a Marxist. Choose your country to work in.