Marxism & hegemony: blog tasks

 Marxism & hegemony: blog tasks

Task 1: Mail Online review of Capital

1) Re-read the Mail Online review of Capital. Why does it suggest that Capital features a left-wing ideology?

The review suggests Capital promotes a left-wing ideology because it argues that the show focuses heavily on “fashionable causes” such as immigration, anti-consumerism, criticism of anti-terror laws, and sympathy for minority characters, while portraying British or wealthy characters negatively. The reviewer presents Capital as prioritising political messaging over storytelling by suggesting ideological bias.

2) Choose three quotes from the review that are particularly critical of Capital and paste them into your blogpost. Do you agree with the criticisms? Why?

• Capital "dribbled to a soggy ending"
• "The last 20 minutes contained no plot."
• "The police were clueless, but they still got to the bottom of it."

The first quote criticises the ending, suggesting the show completely loses momentum. The second directly attacks the structure of the drama, claiming it essentially stops telling a story by the final act. The third mocks the lack of realism or tension in the investigation, implying the resolution felt lazy or unconvincing. I partly agree with the criticisms because if the finale lacked structure and the investigation felt unrealistic then the ending may have seemed weak, although the reviewer’s dramatic language suggests the flaws might be overststated for effect.

3) What scenes or characters from Capital could be read as promoting left-wing ideology?

Certain characters and storylines in Capital could be read as promoting left-wing ideology, particularly the hardworking illegal immigrant who is deported despite her efforts to contribute, and the Muslim man portrayed as a victim of harsh anti-terror laws. Additionally, the contrast between morally flawed wealthy British residents and virtuous immigrant characters reinforces themes of social justice and criticism of inequality, which are fought for by left-wing ideologies.

4) What about the other side of the argument - are there any aspects of Capital that reinforce right-wing or capitalist viewpoints?

The show centres around property ownership and rising house values — which are core capitalist ideas. The

 immigrant character’s emphasis on not claiming benefits also reflects values like independence and hard work. There are also scenes such as the bird's eye view from Roger's office looking down on London, which promote the capitalist system of making your own way up the ladder as portrayed by Roger fighting for his bonus at work.

Task 2: Media Factsheet - 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 or online here (you'll need your Greenford Google login to access). Read the factsheet and answer the following questions:

1) What does Marxism suggest regarding power in society?

One of the key ideas surrounding power within Marxism is that power is held by a minority group in society (the elite) who have access to capital and could use their money and power to generate more wealth - they were financially powerful.

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

The Apprentice is a prolonged job interview where contestants compete against each other to be chosen for a job working for the entrepreneur Lord Alan Sugar. The fact that Sugar has all the power reinforces the ‘superior’ position of the capitalist elite. He has power as he has used the system to create wealth and he is shown using this power to provide a livelihood for the winner of the competition. The contestants must each individually show great qualities needed to be a businessman or woman in order to become Lord Sugar's business partner, each one fighting for the prize. Too much individualism could be detrimental to the potential to make profit and The Apprentice reinforces and supports these values supporting the needs of the economic system we are in.

3) Come up with two 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'.) Explain what meanings these texts communicate to their audiences.

1. The Sun frequently demonises working-class or poor people, especially through sensationalist stories about welfare claimants, crime, or “benefit culture,” often using derogatory terms like “scroungers” or “chavs.” This communicates meanings that the working class are irresponsible, lazy, or morally inferior. For audiences, it can reinforce class prejudice and support conservative or right-wing attitudes about poverty and social responsibility.
2. Shameless (UK and US versions) is a wild, hilarious, and sometimes shocking look at working-class life, following the chaotic Gallagher family as they navigate poverty, family drama, and everyday survival. Despite the hardship, the show presents the Gallaghers as clever, resourceful, and full of humour, turning their struggles into entertaining stories that celebrate independence and resilience. By highlighting their loyalty, creativity, and ability to make the most out of difficult situations, Shameless communicates to audiences that working-class life is messy but full of character, showing that even in tough circumstances, people can be vibrant, funny, and remarkably resourceful. This fetishises working class life.

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 try applying 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.

In Episode 1 of Capital, the drama both reinforces and challenges capitalist values, but mostly critiques them through its focus on inequality and social tension. The gentrified London street setting highlights the power of property owners and wealthy residents, such as investment banker Roger, whose values of profit and status dominate the neighbourhood, subtly showing the elite’s influence as “natural” in terms of housing and social hierarchy. At the same time, the working-class and immigrant characters, like the Polish builder and the illegal immigrant, challenge these power structures, exposing the unfairness of wealth and social privilege, which could be read as a failed revolt when they are marginalised or deported despite their hard work. The narrative also contrasts the moral virtue of subordinates with the selfishness of the elite, suggesting that being part of the masses has value, even under oppression. While some plot elements, like the residents ultimately following rules or failing to stop the mysterious cards, hint at the acceptance of elite systems, the show overall critiques the social and economic hierarchies that capitalism enforces, using episode 1 to illustrate how wealth, property, and status shape power relations and everyday life in London.