P. Currah's Core 3 Section JK
Part I: Multiple choice -- 25 points
Part II: Identify and explain -- 25 points
Identify and explain the significance of five of the following. Give examples where possible. (You will have little choice on the actual exam.)
authority (Montagna)
force (Montagna)
Second Dimension of Power (Ness)
Third Dimension of Power (Ness)
"concentric circles of social control" (Chafe)
proletariat
bourgeoisie
capitalism
class
ideology
superstructure
"the underclass"
status
income class
property class
social class
the paradox of discrimination
ethnicity
the interest theory of discrimination
dual/double consciousness
internal colonialism
institutionalized racism
PART III: Essay -- 50 points
You will be asked to answer one of the following essay questions. (You will have no
choice on the actual exam.)
Max Weber wrote, "The division of society into classes based purely on property is not `dynamic': that is, it does not necessarily lead to class struggle and revolution." Discuss this statement with reference to Marx's theory of class and Weber's own analysis of class and status groups. Is Weber's theory an improvement? Why or why not?
How does Weber differentiate between the economic order of a society and its social order. Discuss with reference to Weber's notions of "class" and "status groups." Give examples of each. Would Marx agree or disagree with Weber? Why or why not?
Marx wrote, "The executive of the modern state is but a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie" (From the "Manifesto of the Communist Party," p. 83). Explain. Give examples.
What is the driving force in history, according to Marx. Explain. Give examples.
Has the bourgeoisie always been a negative -- or even evil -- force in history, according to Marx? Why or why not?
"It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their social being that determines their consciousness" (from the preface to "A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy," p. 93). Explain with reference to the diagram titled "Marx's theory of history." How, then, would you describe Marx's understanding of human nature?
What conditions must be met in order for the proletarian revolution to happen, according to Marx?
How is our understanding of class different from that of Marx's? Does Marx's concept of class apply to the contemporary U.S.A. Explain and give examples. Do these changes lessen or increase the likelihood of a communist revolution? Why or why not?
How does Weber differentiate between the economic order of a society and its social order. Discuss with reference to Weber's notions of "class" and "status groups." Give examples of each. Would Marx agree or disagree with Weber? Why or why not?
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Paisley Currah
718-951-4148
Department of Political Science
Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11210
pcurrah@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Copyright © 1997, 1998 Paisley Currah
Revised -- 10/14/98