Capital - Marxism and Hegemony

 1) Re-read the Mail Online review of Capital. Why does it suggest that Capital features a left-wing ideology?

This is because it demonstrates immigration under a positive light .

2) Choose three quotes from the review that are particularly critical of Capital and paste them into your blogpost. Do you agree with the criticisms? Why?

"The last 20 minutes contained no plot. Whatever story there had ever been was over."

"Capital started with an intriguing idea...The cards simply said, ‘We want what you have’... But that concept went nowhere. The residents were bemused, but not scared."

" With a fizzle like a firework on a wet night, Capital (BBC1) dribbled to a soggy ending. It started with such a brilliant display, but by the finish we were left staring at the proverbial damp squib . "


3) What scenes or characters from Capital could be read as promoting left-wing ideology?

The Kamal family and Quintina .

4) What about the other side of the argument - are there any aspects of Capital that reinforce right-wing or capitalist viewpoints?

Roger views on money display high standards of right wing viewpoints .

Task 2: Media Factsheet - Applying Marxism 

Go to our Media Factsheet archive on the Media Shared drive and open Factsheet #66: Applying Marxism. Our Media Factsheet archive is on the Media Shared drive: M:\Resources\A Level or online here (you'll need your Greenford Google login to access). Read the factsheet and answer the following questions:

1) What does Marxism suggest regarding power in society?

The bourgeoisie were in power of capital and the money system .

2) Why is The Apprentice a good example of the media reinforcing capitalist values and ideologies?

The Apprentice is a wonderful example since it demonstrates and upholds capitalist ideals and principles because everyone on the show is treated equally regardless of race or skin colour. Moreover, you are sacked and barred from the process if Alan Sugar believes you aren't contributing enough.

3) Come up with two 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'.) Explain what meanings these texts communicate to their audiences.

. Coronation Street 
. Daily Mail 
. EastEnders

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)

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