Education and Capitalism
The Marxist view of education: how Bowles and Gintis said school mirrors the workplace through the correspondence principle, teaching obedience and reproducing a workforce for capitalism rather than rewarding merit fairly.
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School and the workplace
Marxist sociologists argue that education mainly benefits capitalism, the economic system based on private profit. Bowles and Gintis said school prepares young people to become obedient workers. They called the close match between school life and working life the correspondence principle. This module looks at their Marxist view and how it differs from the functionalist view.
Marxist education terms
Learn these four terms before you study the Marxist view of education.
Marxist or functionalist?
Bowles and Gintis disagreed sharply with the functionalist view of school.
Name, explain, evaluate
A top answer names Bowles and Gintis, explains the correspondence principle, and adds an evaluation. For example, critics say the theory is too deterministic and ignores pupils who resist school. Name the theorists, explain the idea, then judge it.
Match the term
- capitalism
- correspondence principle
- hidden curriculum
- reproduction of labour power
- an economic system based on private profit
- the idea that school life mirrors working life
- the lessons taught indirectly, such as obedience
- schooling produces the workers that capitalism needs
School mirrors work
- obeying the teacher
- accepting the timetable
- working hard for grades
- having little control over lessons
- obeying the manager at work
- accepting fixed working hours
- working hard for wages
- having little control over the job
The Marxist view
According to Bowles and Gintis, what is the main role of education?
- To produce an obedient workforce for capitalism.
- To reward every pupil fairly on merit.
- To help every child reach the top whatever their class.
The hidden curriculum
Select the TWO things Bowles and Gintis say the hidden curriculum teaches.
- Obedience to those in authority.
- Acceptance of hierarchy and inequality.
- How to run your own business for profit.
- That hard work always beats class background.
The Marxist argument
Put the Bowles and Gintis argument in order, earliest first.
- The hidden curriculum teaches pupils to obey
- Pupils learn to accept hierarchy and control
- They become an obedient, hardworking workforce
- Capitalism gains the workers it needs
Summarise the theory
Bowles and Gintis took a _____ view of education. They said the way school works closely matches the workplace, which they called the _____ principle. School teaches obedience through the _____ curriculum. They rejected the idea that society is a _____, arguing instead that _____ background is the most important factor in achievement.
Count the theorists
The correspondence principle is credited to two Marxist sociologists working together: Bowles and Gintis. How many sociologists is that?
Find the Marxist ideas
Tap the TWO ideas that belong to the Bowles and Gintis Marxist view.
- School reproduces an obedient workforce
- School rewards everyone fairly on merit
- The hidden curriculum teaches acceptance of inequality
- School builds social solidarity for everyone
- School sorts people fairly into the right roles
Whose view is it?
Decide whose view each statement fits.
- Education reproduces an obedient workforce for capitalism
- Education rewards pupils fairly on merit and benefits everyone
- Education has no real effect on society at all
Explain the view
Explain the Marxist view of the role of education. Use the ideas of Bowles and Gintis and the correspondence principle in your answer.
- Explain what the correspondence principle means
- Explain what Bowles and Gintis say school does for capitalism
- Give one criticism of the Marxist view