A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

Which of the following is a major weakness of Marxism?

1. It promotes private ownership

2. It values education

3. It can lead to communism

4. It encourages cultural capital

The correct answer is: It can lead to communism

The identification of communism as a major weakness of Marxism stems from the critique that Marxist theory, which advocates for the establishment of a classless society, can lead to totalitarian regimes when implemented politically. Critics argue that the historical attempts to realize Marxism often resulted in authoritarian governments, where individual freedoms were suppressed in the name of collective ownership and state control. This becomes a significant point of contention, as many argue that instead of achieving equality and justice, it can result in oppression and a lack of personal freedoms. In contrast to this, the other options do not encapsulate weaknesses inherent to Marxism itself. Promoting private ownership is more aligned with capitalist ideologies, while valuing education and encouraging cultural capital are aspects that can be integrated into a broader social framework that may or may not reflect the tenets of Marxism. Thus, the potential for Marxism to pave the way to communism is seen as problematic due to its historical implications and the conditions it has created within societies that have attempted to adopt its principles.