Marxism and Hegemony

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

It suggests that capital has features of left wing ideology as it promotes immigration and makes all the immigrant characters very positive while the English characters are presented as being ungrateful and stuck up. 

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?

With a fizzle like a firework on a wet night, Capital (BBC1) dribbled to a soggy ending

you’ll get rid of your family after Christmas faster than this feeble drama departed.

Capital was as stuffed full with fashionable causes as Jeremy Corbyn’s function diary.

I agree with the criticisms as i too enjoyed the first episode and was very intrigued but the ending was very anti climactic and boring. 

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

The scene where the immigrant who’s fighting for her right to stay in the country is shown to want to work illegally and not collect benefits while doing nothing which promotes immigrants having a positive impact on our society. The polish builder is also shown as a hard working and kind man which promotes the same ideas.  

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

The banking industry being dominated by white men backs the capitalist views as these men are taking home millions while the average worker works over time for only £300/week. 

1) What does Marxism suggest regarding power in society?

Marxism suggests that the wealthy elite have the majority of power and the working class rely on them for survival as they don’t have access to means of production.

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

It reinforces capitalist views/ideologies as the apprentices are relying on Lord Sugar for survival as if they can get through the challenges and win his approval they will be given a high paying job which will improve their lives drastically but if they fail they will be sent away. 

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.

One example of this could be the inbetweeners. In the show we see the lives of 4 working class boys as they grow up with the struggles of British working class life but it romanticises this lifestyle through comedy and making it seem like the boys live fun/care free lives.

Another example could be coronation street where it fetishises working class life by presenting a close knit community where people know all about each other and are willing to help each other through the financial and daily struggles that working class life brings them. 

4) Look at the bullet points on page 4 of the factsheet:

show the values of the power elite as beneficial to the mass- the lavish lifestyle and careless spending of Roger and Arabella provides jobs and incomes for people such as the nanny and the builders working on their home. 

show the subdominant position of the masses as a naturalised idea - Quentina is forced to accept that she has to survive with only £200/week while upper class people earn thousand a week. 

show the values of the power elite as ‘natural’ or ‘right’ - Roger’s large pay is justified by telling the audience he makes the company millions which makes it seem like his pay is naturally right. 

 

show that being a member of the mass is a good thing - The corner shop and the values shown within it when we see people being kind and helping each other despite not having much themselves. 

show the values of the power elite as being ‘for the good of the masses’ (even when unpleasant) - The gentrification of Pepys road is shown to raise house prices/values to millions which is good for the economy but this isn’t good for the lower class members of the community who already live there and are now being forced out as they can no longer afford to live in their own homes.