Applying Marxism: blog task

Applying Marxism: blog task

1) What does Marxism suggest regarding power in society?
The majority of the population (the mass or proletariat) has only their labour (strength and time) to help them make a living. Industrialisation had meant that the elite were the only ones who had access to the means of production.
 
2) Why is The Apprentice a good example of the media reinforcing capitalist values and ideologies?

The fact that Sugar has all the power reinforces the ‘superior’ position of the capitalist elite. He has power as he has used the system to create wealth and he is shown using this power to provide a livelihood for the winner of the competition.

 
3) Come up with three examples of media texts (e.g. TV programmes, newspapers etc.) that either fetishise working class life (e.g. EastEnders presents quite a harmonious East End community which probably doesn't accurately reflect East London life) or demonise working class life or poor people (e.g. The Daily Mail and The Sun newspapers regularly demonise people living on benefits with headlines referring to 'scroungers'.)

Capital fetishes working class since only the British white people are working as bankers who are really selfish over their possessions. However in some aspects it also demonises working class, as you see in season one episode one, the upper class live on the same street as the lower class. This suggests that equality plays a part in the show. Also the dominant class don't control the less fortunate as they are seen as caring and sympathetic.     
4) Look at the bullet points on page 4 of the factsheet:

When making a Marxist reading of a text, look out for representations that:

• show the values of the power elite as beneficial to the mass
• show queries or challenges to the base as meaningless, foolish or anti-social via ‘failed revolt’
• show the subdominant position of the masses as a naturalised idea
• show the values of the power elite as ‘natural’ or ‘right’
• show that being a member of the mass is a good thing
• show the masses accepting the values of the power elite
• show the values of the power elite as being ‘for the good of the masses’ (even when unpleasant)

Now apply those bullet points to Capital. Think about the setting, characters and narrative strands - how many of the bullet points apply to Capital? Does Capital reinforce or challenge the values of capitalism? Give examples from episode 1 to support your points.

Shows the values of the power elite as beneficial to the mass. For example, in capital, the upper British family are more recognised and acknowledged in the show as there wealth is presented to the audience in each episode. This is evident when capital shows the British luxurious houses and the enormous garden they have. A glimpse of when the audience see how upper class really oppresses the lower. Roger the character shows violent behaviour when found out that he only got 30k as his bonus. Some lower or middle class people will be awestruck and amazed receiving such a big bonus. However Roger exhibits a complete different reaction.