Capitalism. A definition:
An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.
Marxism. A definition:
The political and economic philosophy of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in which the concept of class struggle plays a central role in understanding society's allegedly inevitable development from bourgeois oppression under capitalism to a socialist and ultimately classless society.
While Karl Marx only knew the press before it was a mass medium, it is still possible to analyse modern media according to his ideas. Even though Marxism is widely thought to have failed as a guide to social change.
The media as an industry conforms to a general capitalist type through its factors of production.
These are likely to be in the monopolistic ownership of the capital owning class and be organised to serve the interest of that class. This is done through the exploitation of workers (ignoring the true value of labour) and consumers (making excess profits).
Media works ideologically by disseminating the ideas and world views of the ruling class, denying access to alternative ideas that might lead to change or to a growing consciousness of the working classes with regards to its interests.
The main contribution of the media is to stimulate and then satisfy false needs. This leads to the assimilation of groups who have no real material interest in common into a 'one dimensional' society.
Marxist theory of media:
Task:
Bearing in mind the Marxist theory of media;
Watch the video clip below and analyse with consideration given to the representation of Britain (National Identity).
List the visual codes, Audio codes and geographical markers.
Write 200 words describing what the opening ceremony is saying about being British. What would other nationalities think about this?
Intertextuality, definition.
An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.
Marxism. A definition:
The political and economic philosophy of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in which the concept of class struggle plays a central role in understanding society's allegedly inevitable development from bourgeois oppression under capitalism to a socialist and ultimately classless society.
While Karl Marx only knew the press before it was a mass medium, it is still possible to analyse modern media according to his ideas. Even though Marxism is widely thought to have failed as a guide to social change.
The media as an industry conforms to a general capitalist type through its factors of production.
These are likely to be in the monopolistic ownership of the capital owning class and be organised to serve the interest of that class. This is done through the exploitation of workers (ignoring the true value of labour) and consumers (making excess profits).
Media works ideologically by disseminating the ideas and world views of the ruling class, denying access to alternative ideas that might lead to change or to a growing consciousness of the working classes with regards to its interests.
The main contribution of the media is to stimulate and then satisfy false needs. This leads to the assimilation of groups who have no real material interest in common into a 'one dimensional' society.
False consciousness
1.
A Marxist theory that people are unable to see things, especially
exploitation, oppression, and social relations, as they really are; the
inability of the human mind to develop a sophisticated awareness of how it is developed and shaped by circumstances.
2.
Any belief or view that prevents a person from being able to understand
the true nature of a situation.
Marxist theory of media:
- Mass media is owned by the bourgeois class
- Media is operated in their interest
- Media promotes working class false consciousness
- Media access denied to political opposition.
Task:
Bearing in mind the Marxist theory of media;
Watch the video clip below and analyse with consideration given to the representation of Britain (National Identity).
List the visual codes, Audio codes and geographical markers.
Write 200 words describing what the opening ceremony is saying about being British. What would other nationalities think about this?
Intertextuality, definition.
Relating to or deriving meaning from the interdependent ways in which texts stand in relation to each other.
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BBC 1 News
Fox News
The Olympic Opening Ceremony
- Directed by Danny Boyle who is English.
Visual Codes
- James Bond (intertextual reference) Daniel Craig is a British actor and James Bond is a prolific film that is well knows for being British.
- Gold colours signify wealth. Red and Gold are 'royal colours'.
- Queens guards are used.
- Black Hackney cab
- Police officers
- Throne room
- Suits
- Famous Corgi dogs
- The Queen
- British flags
- Flags from other nations sugessts that Britian is accepting of others and multi-cultural nation.
- Close up of the words 'Happy and Glorious' sums up the British nation.
- People from all ethnicities and class. Again suggesting is accepting and 'one country'.
Audio Codes
- Speech - Received Pronunciation by characters and commentator.
- Classical music used which signifies Britain as being sophisticated and an upper class nation It also reminds the audience of the historical nature of the country and reminds them of royalty.
- Chimes of the clock which signifies tradition and a reminder of the Big Ben.
- Dam Busters music is used. The Dam Busters was about world war II and the British attacking the German Dams - This is a reminder to the world that Britain is a superior nation as they 'go into battle' in the helicopter. The music was composed by British composer Eric Coates.
- Crowds cheering which suggests that the public are proud to be be British and that they are celebrating the culture.
There are various landmarks (geographical markers) that are used:
- Buckingham Palace
- Big Ben
- London Eye
- River Thames
- Lion statue in Trafalgar Square
- Churchill statue
- London Bridge
- Houses of Parliament.
Other important points about the representation of Britain (National Identity)
- Brazilian Children being shown around - They are in awe of the country and everything around them is so much better than their country. Could also suggest that Britian is a multi-cultural society and an acepting nation.
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