TV: 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\Media Factsheets - you'll need to save the factsheet to USB or email it to yourself in order to complete this at home. Read the factsheet and answer the following questions:

1) What does Marxism suggest regarding power in society? 

Marxism suggests that power was held by the minority (the elite or bourgeoisies) who had access to capital and could use their money and power to generate more wealth. Marxists tend to emphasize the role of the mass media in maintaining the status quo, suggesting power is concentrated in the hands of a narrow life. 

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

The Apprentice is a good example of the media reinforcing capitalist values and ideologies because it is a programme which gives one man (Lord Sugar) all power in decision making and creating a future for somebody else - this reinforces the 'superior' position of the capitalist elite. He has power as he has used the system to increase his wealth and is using his power to make life changing decisions for someone else - all the contestants are reliant on him for their survival of the show. The prize for the winner is a well-paid job and the winner will need to display the qualities that identify him/her as a potentially successful business person. Therefore, this promotes capitalist ideologies and values because it demonstrates the idea that if you work hard you will succeed.

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'.)

1 - 'Benefits Street' : This TV programme/documentary demonises working/lower class residents who live on a relatively poverty stricken street. It portrays people as lazy and as not doing much to better their own lives and instead rely on benefits to keep them going. 
2 - 'Eastenders' : This is a TV programme which is somewhat inaccurate and in some cases not that realistic - it is dramatised to make it more interesting for the audience and enjoyable to watch. This presents a somewhat pragmatic depiction of working class people/families.
3 - 'The Daily Mail' : This newspaper is known for its strong right wing views, demonising people living on benefits and giving a bad overall outlook on immigrants and the immigration system. It is often seen to be quite racist and British favoured. 

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.