STPGT-Sociology_Karl Marx: Dialectical Materialism

Model MCQ's Karl Marx

Karl Marx: Dialectical Materialism

1. According to Karl Marx, the driving force of historical change is:

(A) The spread of ideas

(B) Economic structures and class struggle

(D) Religious movements

(B) Economic structures and class struggle

Explanation: Marx argued that economic relations between different social classes drive the historical process, with class struggle being the key factor in societal change.

2. Dialectical materialism asserts that:

(A) Ideas and consciousness shape material reality

(B) Material conditions shape ideas and consciousness

(D) The material world is static and unchanging

(B) Material conditions shape ideas and consciousness

Explanation: According to dialectical materialism, material conditions, such as the mode of production, shape ideas, consciousness, and the overall superstructure of society.

3. Marx’s theory of dialectics is rooted in:

(A) Hegelian philosophy

(B) Aristotelian logic

(D) Kantian transcendentalism

(A) Hegelian philosophy

Explanation: Marx adapted Hegel’s dialectical method, which focuses on the resolution of contradictions, to materialist analysis, leading to dialectical materialism.

4. In Marx’s view, the "base" of society refers to:

(A) Political ideology

(B) The economic structure

(D) The legal system

(B) The economic structure

Explanation: Marx proposed that the "base" of society is its economic foundation, including the forces and relations of production. The "superstructure" (politics, culture, law) arises from and is shaped by the base.

5. According to dialectical materialism, the relationship between the ruling and subordinate classes is best described as:

(A) Harmonious and collaborative

(B) Symbiotic and interdependent

(D) Passive and unchanging

Explanation: Marx argued that the relationship between classes is inherently conflictual, with the ruling class exploiting the labor of the subordinate class for economic gain.

6. In Marxist theory, the transition from feudalism to capitalism is primarily explained by:

(A) The emergence of new religious ideas

(B) Technological advancements in agriculture

(D) The spread of democratic values

Explanation: Marx believed that the development of the bourgeois class and their struggle against the feudal aristocracy led to the rise of capitalism as the dominant mode of production.

7. According to Marx, which class is the revolutionary class that will overthrow capitalism?

(A) The aristocracy

(B) The bourgeoisie

(D) The peasantry

Explanation: Marx believed that the proletariat, or working class, would eventually overthrow the bourgeoisie and establish a classless society.

8. What does Marx mean by the "alienation" of workers under capitalism?

(A) Workers are unable to form unions

(B) Workers feel disconnected from the products of their labor and from their fellow workers

(D) Workers lose their rights to strike

(B) Workers feel disconnected from the products of their labor and from their fellow workers

Explanation: Marx argued that capitalism alienates workers from their labor because they do not own the products they create and are forced into repetitive tasks with little creative freedom.

9. Marx’s concept of "surplus value" refers to:

(A) The amount of wealth created by the government

(B) The difference between the value workers produce and the wages they are paid

(D) The value of natural resources in society

(B) The difference between the value workers produce and the wages they are paid

Explanation: Surplus value is the value produced by labor over and above what is paid in wages, and it is extracted by the capitalist class as profit.

10. According to Marx, the state in capitalist society serves the interests of:

(A) The proletariat

(B) The bourgeoisie

(D) The monarchy

(B) The bourgeoisie

Explanation: Marx argued that the state is an instrument of the ruling capitalist class, used to maintain order and protect their interests.

11. The concept of "historical materialism" emphasizes that:

(A) Ideas drive the historical process

(B) The material conditions of life shape the development of society

(D) Religion is the primary force in historical development

(B) The material conditions of life shape the development of society

Explanation: Historical materialism posits that the material conditions, particularly the mode of production, determine the social, political, and ideological structures of society.

12. According to Marx, the mode of production consists of:

(A) The economic base and the superstructure

(B) The accumulation of wealth

(D) Only the relations of production

(A) The economic base and the superstructure

Explanation: The mode of production refers to the combination of the forces of production (technology, labor) and the relations of production (class relations, ownership).

13. What is the ultimate goal of Marxist theory?

(A) To establish socialism

(B) To create a world revolution

(D) To achieve economic equality

Explanation: Marx’s ultimate goal was to abolish class divisions and establish a classless society, where the means of production are collectively owned.

14. Marx believed that capitalism would eventually collapse because:

(A) Workers would become more educated and peaceful

(B) The bourgeoisie would lose their power

(D) The workers would peacefully negotiate reforms

Explanation: Marx believed that the inherent contradictions of capitalism, such as the exploitation of workers, would lead to a revolutionary crisis, overthrowing the system.

15. What role do the proletariat play in Marxist theory?

(A) They are the ruling class

(B) They are the main agents of historical change

(D) They support the bourgeoisie

(B) They are the main agents of historical change

Explanation: Marx viewed the proletariat as the class that would overthrow capitalism and usher in a new, classless society through revolution.

16. The primary contradiction in capitalist society, according to Marx, is between:

(A) The state and the economy

(B) The intellectuals and the workers

(D) The workers and the peasantry

Explanation: The fundamental contradiction in capitalism is the conflict of interests between the bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the proletariat (workers).

17. Marx's analysis of capitalism focuses on the exploitation of:

(A) Land and natural resources

(B) Labor power

(D) Intellectual property

(B) Labor power

Explanation: Marx emphasized that capitalism exploits labor power by paying workers less than the value they produce, extracting surplus value as profit.

18. The transition from socialism to communism, according to Marx, would involve:

(A) A peaceful revolution with gradual reforms

(B) The violent overthrow of the capitalist state and a dictatorship of the proletariat

(D) The rise of technocratic elites

(B) The violent overthrow of the capitalist state and a dictatorship of the proletariat

Explanation: Marx believed that the proletariat would need to overthrow the capitalist state through revolution and establish a temporary dictatorship to suppress resistance and implement socialism.

19. What does Marx mean by the "withering away of the state" in communism?

(A) The state will become more centralized

(B) The state will eventually disappear as class distinctions are abolished

(D) The state will become a global organization

(B) The state will eventually disappear as class distinctions are abolished

Explanation: In communism, there would be no need for a state to enforce class relations, and thus the state would "wither away," as society would become classless.

20. In Marx's theory, what role does ideology play in maintaining capitalist society?

(A) It promotes class struggle

(B) It reflects the material conditions of society

(D) It inspires workers to rebel

Explanation: Marx believed that the ruling class uses ideology to maintain their power by presenting the existing social order as natural or just, thus preventing revolutionary consciousness.

21. According to Marx, the material basis of society's development is found in:

(A) Political institutions

(B) Cultural movements

(D) Religious ideologies

Explanation: Marx emphasized that the economic structure, or the mode of production, forms the foundation of social development, influencing politics, culture, and ideologies.

22. Which of the following best describes Marx’s concept of class struggle?

(A) Cooperation between workers and capitalists

(B) The ongoing conflict between the ruling and subordinate classes over economic resources

(D) The peaceful resolution of social inequalities

(B) The ongoing conflict between the ruling and subordinate classes over economic resources

Explanation: Marx believed that class struggle is the primary engine of historical change, with the working class fighting against the exploitation of the ruling capitalist class.

23. Marx’s concept of "commodity fetishism" refers to:

(A) The worship of material goods in capitalist society

(B) The dehumanization of workers under capitalism

(D) The increasing power of consumer goods over the individual

Explanation: Commodity fetishism occurs when social relationships between individuals are masked by the relationship between commodities, causing people to view commodities as having inherent value.

24. What does Marx mean by the term "false consciousness"?

(A) The belief that one’s class status is determined by individual merit

(B) The awareness of class struggle

(D) The creation of new ideologies by the working class

Explanation: False consciousness refers to the distorted perception of reality where the working class fails to see the true nature of their exploitation by the capitalist class.

25. According to Marx, the proletariat will achieve their liberation through:

(A) The gradual reforms of the capitalist system

(B) The overthrow of the capitalist state through revolution

(D) The cooperation with the bourgeoisie

(B) The overthrow of the capitalist state through revolution

Explanation: Marx believed that only through revolutionary action could the proletariat overthrow the capitalist state and abolish class distinctions, leading to communism.

26. In Marxist theory, the term "dialectic" refers to:

(A) The study of social structures

(B) The conflict of opposites that leads to change and development

(D) The ethical reasoning in society

(B) The conflict of opposites that leads to change and development

Explanation: The dialectic is a process of conflict and resolution between contradictory forces, which leads to change and the evolution of society.

27. Marx's theory of history is known as:

(A) Dialectical materialism

(B) Historical materialism

(D) The theory of alienation

(B) Historical materialism

Explanation: Historical materialism is Marx's theory that history develops through the material conditions of society, particularly the means and relations of production.

28. According to Marx, the primary function of the legal system in capitalist society is to:

(A) Protect the rights of workers

(B) Ensure social justice

(D) Promote the welfare of the peasantry

Explanation: Marx argued that the legal system serves to protect the interests of the capitalist class, especially their property and economic power.

29. What is the ultimate aim of Marx’s theory of communism?

(A) To establish a welfare state

(B) To create a classless, stateless society

(D) To foster the development of a global market economy

(B) To create a classless, stateless society

Explanation: Marx envisioned communism as a classless and stateless society, where the means of production are collectively owned and there is no exploitation or oppression.

30. Marx considered religion to be:

(A) A force for social progress

(B) The "opium of the people," dulling their revolutionary consciousness

(D) An essential element of capitalist ideology

(B) The "opium of the people," dulling their revolutionary consciousness

Explanation: Marx believed that religion served to pacify the oppressed classes, offering them solace and distracting them from the realities of their exploitation.

31. Marx's notion of a "dictatorship of the proletariat" refers to:

(A) The absolute rule of the working class

(B) A temporary state to suppress the bourgeoisie and lay the groundwork for communism

(D) The creation of a global socialist government

(B) A temporary state to suppress the bourgeoisie and lay the groundwork for communism

Explanation: Marx believed that after the revolution, the proletariat would temporarily rule to suppress the bourgeoisie and reorganize society, eventually leading to the withering away of the state.

32. Marx's theory of value, also known as the "Labor Theory of Value," argues that:

(A) The value of a commodity is determined by the amount of labor required to produce it

(B) The value of a commodity is based on market demand

(D) The value of a commodity depends on its scarcity

(A) The value of a commodity is determined by the amount of labor required to produce it

Explanation: Marx argued that the value of a commodity is determined by the socially necessary labor time required for its production.

33. Marx viewed the transition from capitalism to socialism as:

(A) A peaceful process through negotiations

(B) A violent revolution driven by the proletariat

(D) A cultural revolution

(B) A violent revolution driven by the proletariat

Explanation: Marx believed that the working class would need to violently overthrow the capitalist state to establish socialism.

34. The idea that history progresses through a series of stages, each defined by a particular mode of production, is known as:

(A) Linear history

(B) Historical materialism

(D) The dialectic of history

(B) Historical materialism

Explanation: Historical materialism holds that history progresses through various stages determined by changes in the mode of production and the relations of production.

35. What did Marx see as the ultimate fate of capitalism?

(A) It would lead to widespread prosperity

(B) It would gradually transform into socialism through reforms

(D) It would be replaced by feudalism

Explanation: Marx believed that capitalism contained inherent contradictions that would eventually lead to its collapse and be replaced by socialism.

36. Marx’s theory of alienation suggests that workers under capitalism:

(A) Have full control over their work

(B) Are empowered and fulfilled by their work

(D) Are free from exploitation

Explanation: Marx’s concept of alienation refers to how capitalism estranges workers from the work they produce, their fellow workers, and their own human potential.

37. According to Marx, the "superstructure" of society includes:

(A) The economy and production

(B) Political institutions, culture, and ideology

(D) The working class

(B) Political institutions, culture, and ideology

Explanation: The superstructure consists of the political, legal, cultural, and ideological institutions that arise from the economic base.

38. Marx considered the transition to communism to involve:

(A) The concentration of wealth in the hands of the state

(B) The gradual dissolution of private property

(D) The complete dissolution of social classes and the state

Explanation: Marx believed that in communism, there would be no need for the state or social classes, as people would live in harmony based on common ownership of the means of production.

39. Marx’s concept of "the withering away of the state" means that:

(A) The state will become more authoritarian

(B) The state will gradually dissolve as class distinctions disappear

(D) The state will expand its functions

(B) The state will gradually dissolve as class distinctions disappear

Explanation: Marx believed that with the abolition of class distinctions in a communist society, the state would no longer be necessary and would gradually wither away.

40. According to Marx, the primary contradiction in capitalist society is between:

(A) The proletariat and the peasantry

(B) The bourgeoisie and the proletariat

(D) The bourgeoisie and the middle class

(B) The bourgeoisie and the proletariat

Explanation: The primary contradiction in capitalist society, according to Marx, is between the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (workers who sell their labor).

41. Marx argues that the development of human societies follows a linear progression from:

(A) Primitive communism to feudalism to capitalism to socialism

(B) Capitalism to socialism to communism

(D) Capitalism to anarchy

Explanation: Marx saw the historical development of society as moving through distinct stages: feudalism, capitalism, socialism, and finally communism.

42. According to Marx, the mode of production in a society shapes its:

(A) Legal system and government

(B) Cultural values and religion

(D) All of the above

Explanation: Marx argued that the mode of production (how goods are produced and distributed) influences all aspects of society, including its politics, culture, and legal system.

43. The proletariat is defined as:

(A) The working class that owns the means of production

(B) The middle class

(D) The capitalist class

Explanation: The proletariat is the class of workers who do not own the means of production and are therefore forced to sell their labor to the bourgeoisie.

44. What does Marx mean by "reification" in capitalist society?

(A) The process of turning human relations into commodities

(B) The development of new technologies in the workforce

(D) The class consciousness of the proletariat

(A) The process of turning human relations into commodities

Explanation: Reification refers to the process by which social relations, particularly in capitalism, are viewed as inherent characteristics of things rather than as relationships between people.

45. Marx’s theory of historical materialism suggests that:

(A) Human history is shaped by ideas and culture

(B) Ideas and ideologies are determined by the economic base of society

(D) Technology is the primary driver of social change

(B) Ideas and ideologies are determined by the economic base of society

Explanation: Historical materialism holds that the material conditions of society, particularly the economy, shape the ideologies and ideas of a given era.

46. According to Marx, the working class under capitalism experiences:

(A) Full control over their working conditions

(B) The alienation of their labor and loss of control over their work

(D) Complete harmony with the capitalist class

(B) The alienation of their labor and loss of control over their work

Explanation: Marx argued that workers under capitalism are alienated from the products of their labor, from their fellow workers, and from their own human potential, due to the exploitative nature of the system.

47. The term "mode of production" refers to:

(A) The level of technological development in a society

(B) The relationship between workers and capitalists

(D) The political system in place

Explanation: The mode of production refers to the organization of production, including the means of production (tools, resources) and the social relations of production (how people relate in the process of production).

48. Marx's critique of capitalism is based on the idea that:

(A) Capitalism leads to social equality

(B) Capitalism is a just economic system

(D) Capitalism will naturally evolve into socialism

Explanation: Marx believed that capitalism was inherently exploitative, as capitalists extract surplus value from workers, leading to social inequality.

49. What role does technology play in Marx’s analysis of capitalism?

(A) It is the sole factor determining social change

(B) It accelerates the process of revolution

(D) It leads to a utopian society

Explanation: Marx saw technology as enhancing productivity, but also deepening the exploitation of workers, as capitalists seek to extract more surplus value through technological advancements.

50. Marx believed that the ultimate aim of human history was:

(A) The establishment of a world capitalist system

(B) The end of class society and the creation of communism

(D) The establishment of a global government under bourgeois control

(B) The end of class society and the creation of communism

Explanation: Marx's ultimate goal was to abolish class divisions and create a classless, stateless society (communism) where production is collectively owned and controlled.

51. Marx's theory of alienation suggests that workers in capitalist society:

(A) Are empowered by their work

(B) Experience a sense of disconnection from the products of their labor

(D) Live in complete harmony with capitalists

(B) Experience a sense of disconnection from the products of their labor

Explanation: Marx argued that under capitalism, workers are alienated because they do not own the products they produce, which leads to a disconnection from their labor and a loss of their humanity.

52. Marx’s analysis of the state is based on the idea that:

(A) The state serves the interests of the proletariat

(B) The state is neutral and impartial

(D) The state is an unnecessary institution

Explanation: Marx believed that the state is a tool used by the ruling capitalist class to maintain their power, enforce property rights, and suppress the working class.

53. According to Marx, the bourgeoisie is the class that:

(A) Owns the means of production

(B) Performs manual labor

(D) Is oppressed by the proletariat

(A) Owns the means of production

Explanation: The bourgeoisie is the capitalist class that owns and controls the means of production, and exploits the proletariat for profit.

54. The “dialectical” aspect of dialectical materialism means that:

(A) History develops through conflict between opposites

(B) Human consciousness creates material reality

(D) Political systems evolve gradually

(A) History develops through conflict between opposites

Explanation: Dialectical materialism asserts that history evolves through the conflict of opposites (thesis and antithesis) leading to a synthesis, which creates a new stage in society.

55. In Marxist theory, the “mode of production” includes:

(A) The distribution of goods

(B) The social relations of production

(D) The distribution of wealth

(B) The social relations of production

Explanation: The mode of production refers to both the forces of production (tools, labor) and the social relations of production (class relationships, ownership).

56. According to Marx, the law of value in a capitalist economy is determined by:

(A) Supply and demand

(B) The labor theory of value

(D) The global economy

(B) The labor theory of value

Explanation: Marx’s labor theory of value posits that the value of a commodity is determined by the amount of socially necessary labor time required for its production.

57. What is the relationship between the "base" and the "superstructure" in Marxist theory?

(A) The base determines the superstructure

(B) The superstructure determines the base

(D) The base and superstructure have no relationship

(A) The base determines the superstructure

Explanation: According to Marx, the economic base (the mode of production) determines the superstructure (politics, culture, law), which reflects and supports the existing economic relations.

58. Marx's concept of "historical materialism" suggests that:

(A) Ideas shape material conditions

(B) The material conditions of life shape human history

(D) Religion is the primary force in historical development

(B) The material conditions of life shape human history

Explanation: Historical materialism asserts that material conditions, particularly the mode of production, are the primary drivers of historical change and social development.

59. According to Marx, the class struggle in capitalist society is primarily between:

(A) The proletariat and the aristocracy

(B) The proletariat and the bourgeoisie

(D) The proletariat and the state

(B) The proletariat and the bourgeoisie

Explanation: The central conflict in capitalist society, according to Marx, is between the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) and the proletariat (working class), who have opposing interests.

60. Marx’s concept of surplus value refers to:

(A) The profit made by the state

(B) The extra value produced by workers over and above what they are paid

(D) The value of natural resources

(B) The extra value produced by workers over and above what they are paid

Explanation: Surplus value is the value created by workers in excess of their wages, which is appropriated by capitalists as profit.

61. Marx’s concept of “false consciousness” is the idea that:

(A) The proletariat is fully aware of their exploitation

(B) Workers fail to understand their true interests due to ideological manipulation

(D) The proletariat is content with their situation

(B) Workers fail to understand their true interests due to ideological manipulation

Explanation: False consciousness refers to the way in which workers are misled by ideologies that prevent them from recognizing their exploitation and true class interests.

62. According to Marx, the dictatorship of the proletariat is necessary to:

(A) Enforce the rule of the bourgeoisie

(B) Establish socialism and suppress capitalist resistance

(D) Ensure the freedom of the bourgeoisie

(B) Establish socialism and suppress capitalist resistance

Explanation: The dictatorship of the proletariat is a temporary state after the revolution in which the working class rules to prevent capitalist counter-revolution and transition to socialism.

63. Marx argued that the transition from capitalism to socialism would involve:

(A) A gradual process of legal reforms

(B) The overthrow of the state

(D) The peaceful dissolution of the capitalist class

(B) The overthrow of the state

Explanation: Marx believed that socialism would only be achieved through a revolutionary process in which the working class overthrows the capitalist state and establishes a new system.

64. In Marx's view, the state in capitalist society acts as:

(A) A neutral arbitrator between classes

(B) A tool for maintaining the status quo and protecting capitalist interests

(D) A means of organizing productive forces

(B) A tool for maintaining the status quo and protecting capitalist interests

Explanation: Marx argued that the state in capitalist societies functions to preserve the interests of the ruling class and protect private property.

65. In Marxist theory, the “proletariat” is defined as:

(A) The class that owns the means of production

(B) The working class that sells its labor

(D) The political leaders who represent the bourgeoisie

(B) The working class that sells its labor

Explanation: The proletariat is the class of workers who do not own the means of production and must sell their labor power to survive under capitalism.

66. According to Marx, capitalism ultimately leads to:

(A) Increased equality between classes

(B) The concentration of wealth in the hands of the proletariat

(D) The establishment of a global welfare state

Explanation: Marx argued that capitalism is inherently contradictory, and its internal conflicts, such as the exploitation of workers, would lead to its eventual collapse and replacement by socialism.

67. According to Marx, the “base” of society refers to:

(A) The system of ideas and ideology

(B) The political system and the law

(D) The cultural practices and traditions of a society

Explanation: The “base” refers to the economic foundation of society, which includes the means of production (technology, resources) and the relations of production (class structure, ownership).

68. Marx’s theory of “alienation” describes how workers:

(A) Feel a deep sense of ownership over the products they create

(B) Are disconnected from the products of their labor, from other workers, and from their human potential

(D) Are treated as free and equal individuals

(B) Are disconnected from the products of their labor, from other workers, and from their human potential

Explanation: Alienation in Marx’s theory refers to the estrangement workers feel in capitalist society because they do not own the products of their labor and have little control over their work.

69. The "dictatorship of the proletariat" is a concept in Marxist theory that refers to:

(A) The rule of the capitalist class over the working class

(B) A temporary revolutionary government in which the working class suppresses the bourgeoisie

(D) The rise of a new bourgeois class

(B) A temporary revolutionary government in which the working class suppresses the bourgeoisie

Explanation: After the revolution, the dictatorship of the proletariat is a temporary state in which the working class governs to suppress capitalist resistance and establish socialism.

70. In Marx’s view, the primary force behind social change is:

(A) Changes in political ideology

(B) Scientific advancements

(D) Technological innovations

Explanation: Marx argued that social change is driven by the conflict between social classes, particularly the struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

71. The "superstructure" in Marxist theory refers to:

(A) The economic relations of production

(B) The political and ideological institutions that reflect and support the base

(D) The natural resources of a society

(B) The political and ideological institutions that reflect and support the base

Explanation: The superstructure includes all non-economic aspects of society such as politics, law, culture, and religion, which are shaped by and serve to maintain the economic base.

72. In Marx’s view, capitalism is based on the exploitation of workers because:

(A) Workers are paid less than the value they produce

(B) Capitalists provide better working conditions

(D) The state regulates labor wages

(A) Workers are paid less than the value they produce

Explanation: Marx argued that capitalism is exploitative because capitalists extract surplus value from workers, paying them less than the value of the goods and services they produce.

73. According to Marx, the ultimate result of class struggle will be:

(A) A more equitable capitalist society

(B) The formation of a global ruling class

(D) The dominance of the intellectuals over the proletariat

Explanation: Marx believed that the class struggle would eventually lead to the overthrow of capitalism and the creation of a communist society, which would be classless and stateless.

74. According to Marx, capitalism is an historical stage that will be replaced by:

(A) Feudalism

(B) Communism

(D) A hybrid system of democracy and capitalism

(B) Communism

Explanation: Marx argued that capitalism is a transient stage in history, which would eventually be overthrown by the proletariat and replaced by communism.

75. Marx’s concept of "commodity fetishism" refers to the phenomenon where:

(A) Commodities are worshiped as objects of spiritual significance

(B) The social relationships between people are masked by the relationship between commodities

(D) The state controls the production of commodities

(B) The social relationships between people are masked by the relationship between commodities

Explanation: Commodity fetishism occurs when people treat commodities as if they have intrinsic value, ignoring the social relations and exploitation that produce them.

76. Marx believed that the ideology of the ruling class:

(A) Is designed to reflect the interests of the proletariat

(B) Is the product of social consensus

(D) Is irrelevant to the functioning of society

Explanation: Marx argued that the ruling class uses ideology to maintain its dominance by shaping people's beliefs and perceptions of the world in ways that support the existing system of exploitation.

77. According to Marx, the state exists to:

(A) Organize society for the common good

(B) Preserve social order and protect property relations

(D) Ensure that all individuals have equal access to resources

(B) Preserve social order and protect property relations

Explanation: Marx believed that the state is an instrument of the ruling class used to protect private property, maintain social order, and suppress the working class.

78. According to Marx, capitalism is inherently unstable because:

(A) It leads to the overproduction of goods

(B) It concentrates wealth in the hands of the state

(D) It eliminates class struggle

(A) It leads to the overproduction of goods

Explanation: Marx argued that capitalism tends to overproduce goods, leading to economic crises, as workers cannot afford to buy back the products they create.

79. The term "class consciousness" in Marxist theory refers to:

(A) The awareness of workers of their exploitation and their collective interests

(B) The belief that classes do not exist in society

(D) The natural acceptance of social hierarchy by the proletariat

(A) The awareness of workers of their exploitation and their collective interests

Explanation: Class consciousness refers to the recognition by workers of their collective interests as a class, leading to the realization of their exploitation and the need for revolution.

80. Marx believed that the capitalist system would ultimately be replaced by:

(A) Fascism

(B) Socialism and eventually communism

(D) A new form of capitalism

(B) Socialism and eventually communism

Explanation: Marx believed that the contradictions of capitalism would lead to its collapse, replaced by socialism, which would eventually evolve into a classless, stateless society (communism).

81. In Marxist theory, the concept of "dialectical materialism" refers to:

(A) The philosophical idea that ideas alone drive historical change

(B) The concept that the material world, including economic factors, drives history and social change through dialectical processes

(D) The idea that history moves in a linear, predictable manner

(B) The concept that the material world, including economic factors, drives history and social change through dialectical processes

Explanation: Dialectical materialism asserts that material conditions (such as the economic base) are the primary drivers of historical development, which occur through the resolution of contradictions in society.

82. Marx’s theory of history argues that:

(A) History is determined by the will of great individuals

(B) The economy shapes the rest of society, including politics, culture, and ideology

(D) History is a cyclical process

(B) The economy shapes the rest of society, including politics, culture, and ideology

Explanation: Marx argued that the economic structure, or base, determines the political, legal, and cultural institutions of society, which reflect the interests of the ruling class.

83. In Marxist theory, the concept of "ideology" refers to:

(A) A set of ideas that reflect the interests of the ruling class

(B) A system of scientific ideas that explain social behavior

(D) A system of beliefs that encourage social equality

(A) A set of ideas that reflect the interests of the ruling class

Explanation: Marx believed that ideology is used by the ruling class to justify and legitimize their dominance, making it appear as though their rule is natural or inevitable.

84. Marx’s theory of value holds that the value of a commodity is determined by:

(A) The amount of labor required to produce it

(B) Its utility to consumers

(D) Its scarcity

(A) The amount of labor required to produce it

Explanation: Marx’s labor theory of value posits that the value of a commodity is determined by the amount of socially necessary labor time required to produce it.

85. According to Marx, the working class under capitalism is exploited because:

(A) They receive a fair share of the value they produce

(B) They control the means of production

(D) They own private property

Explanation: Marx believed that capitalists extract surplus value from workers, meaning workers are paid less than the value they produce, with the difference being kept as profit by the capitalists.

86. In Marxist terms, the "forces of production" include:

(A) The political and legal institutions of society

(B) The technologies, tools, and labor power used to produce goods

(D) The distribution of wealth

(B) The technologies, tools, and labor power used to produce goods

Explanation: The forces of production include the physical means of production (tools, machines) and human labor power, which are necessary to produce goods and services in a society.

87. The “labor theory of value” argues that the value of a commodity is derived from:

(A) The amount of capital invested in it

(B) The amount of labor that goes into its production

(D) The scarcity of the commodity

(B) The amount of labor that goes into its production

Explanation: The labor theory of value holds that the value of a commodity is determined by the amount of socially necessary labor required to produce it, rather than by supply and demand.

88. Marx argued that the ultimate purpose of communism is to:

(A) Increase industrial productivity

(B) Eliminate private property and create a classless society

(D) Strengthen the power of the state

(B) Eliminate private property and create a classless society

Explanation: Marx envisioned communism as a classless, stateless society where the means of production are collectively owned, and the exploitation of labor is abolished.

89. In Marx’s view, the state in capitalist society is primarily an instrument of:

(A) The working class

(B) The intellectuals

(D) The proletariat

Explanation: Marx argued that the state is a tool of the ruling capitalist class (bourgeoisie), used to maintain their power and protect private property.

90. Marx believed that the collapse of capitalism would lead to:

(A) The rise of fascism

(B) The establishment of socialism and eventually communism

(D) The creation of a global democracy

(B) The establishment of socialism and eventually communism

Explanation: Marx believed that capitalism would eventually collapse due to its inherent contradictions, leading to the establishment of socialism, which would eventually evolve into communism.

91. Marx's view of "the state" is that it:

(A) Acts in the best interests of all classes

(B) Is a neutral body that ensures social harmony

(D) Is controlled by the proletariat after revolution

Explanation: According to Marx, the state exists to protect the property and power of the ruling class (the bourgeoisie), and is not neutral but actively enforces their interests.

92. Marx argued that under capitalism, workers are alienated because:

(A) They own the means of production

(B) They are free to pursue their own interests

(D) They work in cooperative organizations

Explanation: Marx believed that workers under capitalism are alienated because they do not own the products of their labor and are estranged from their work, the process of production, and other workers.

93. According to Marx, the development of capitalism has led to the concentration of wealth in the hands of:

(A) The working class

(B) The capitalist class

(D) The peasantry

(B) The capitalist class

Explanation: Marx argued that capitalism results in the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the bourgeoisie, who own and control the means of production.

94. The mode of production includes:

(A) The relations of production and the forces of production

(B) Only the forces of production

(D) The economic system of exchange

(A) The relations of production and the forces of production

Explanation: The mode of production refers to the way in which society organizes the production of goods, consisting of the forces of production (labor, tools, technology) and the relations of production (how people interact in production).

95. According to Marx, the "dialectic" refers to:

(A) The economic system of capitalism

(B) The process of conflict between opposing forces leading to social change

(D) A system of logical reasoning used in economics

(B) The process of conflict between opposing forces leading to social change

Explanation: Dialectics, as applied by Marx, refers to the idea that history develops through contradictions between opposing forces, and the resolution of these contradictions leads to social and historical change.

96. In Marxist theory, the relationship between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie is characterized by:

(A) Mutual cooperation

(B) Social harmony

(D) An absence of conflict

Explanation: Marx believed that the relationship between the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) and the proletariat (working class) is exploitative, with the bourgeoisie benefiting from the surplus value extracted from workers.

97. Marx’s concept of “surplus value” refers to:

(A) The extra value produced by the government

(B) The difference between the value of a commodity and its market price

(D) The additional wealth accumulated by the proletariat

Explanation: Surplus value is the value created by labor in excess of the wages paid to workers, which is then taken by capitalists as profit.

98. According to Marx, the transition from feudalism to capitalism occurred because of:

(A) The rise of new religious movements

(B) The development of new technologies and the expansion of trade

(D) The spread of socialist ideas

(B) The development of new technologies and the expansion of trade

Explanation: The transition from feudalism to capitalism was driven by technological advancements and the growth of commerce, which led to the rise of a new bourgeois class and the decline of feudalism.

99. Marx’s idea of "historical materialism" posits that:

(A) Social change is driven by ideas and ideologies

(B) Material conditions, particularly the economy, shape social structures and historical development

(D) Political systems evolve according to human consciousness

(B) Material conditions, particularly the economy, shape social structures and historical development

Explanation: Historical materialism suggests that the economic base of society, including the means of production, determines the political, legal, and cultural superstructure.

100. Marx argued that once the proletariat seizes power, the state would:

(A) Remain the same

(B) Wither away as class distinctions are abolished

(D) Become a tool for the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie

(B) Wither away as class distinctions are abolished

Explanation: According to Marx, once the proletariat establishes a classless society, the state will no longer be needed and will gradually “wither away” as class distinctions disappear.

STPGT-Sociology_Karl Marx: Dialectical Materialism

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Follow by Email

About Us

Contact Form