1. As we learned thus far, the capitalist class consists of people who own wealth, as well as the means of production in American society. An important question in understanding how this class works is to ask: how does a capitalist remain wealthy? The answer to this question depends largely on understanding the diagram M-C-M’. So, let’s practice by explaining what happens in this diagram in our own words (but basing our ideas on Reading 5.1). Respond to the following question: Explain M-C-M’ to show how capitalists maintain and increase their wealth. (hint: your answer should weave a summary that includes what you reviewed in the self-assessment exercise question 1-7)  

Capitalist remains wealthy because they already have money they can use to buy products to create more products and sell them for more money. Something that explained that in the article was “the owners of capital can always put their money back into circulation and repeat their operations as often and as quickly as possible: buying to sell, starting with money to acquire more money, which thus enables them to increase their capital. This shows a reason of why they stay wealthy. Business owners can’t create wealth or profit without labor power. They make a profit off what they sell since they sell it for more than what it’s actually worth this is called surplus value which is all the extra money that goes into the owner’s money, not the worker’s. MCM’ The first M stands for money which is used to create commodities which is C. Then C is the amount of work/labor that it took in order to produce the final product and lastly M’ is money at the end of the transaction it is not the same as the first M it has a greater value.

1. Two key concepts in this video are the means of production and labor. In your comment, explain how you understand the means of production and labor. Give an example of each. The video helped me get a good understanding of the means of production and labor. Means of production are basically the things that are used in order to create and make something. In order to create a product, you need tools and objects to help you make it.  The video used a good example, if you’re creating a video the things that would help you make it would be a camera, nice lighting or lamp, and yourself order to make it. Labor is the only thing that can increase the value of what you have. An example would be a plain shirt you’re selling if it’s plain and boring people won’t want to pay much for it because it’s something simple that doesn’t have much value. But if you put in time and labor and add designs with a sewing machine or customize it then the value would increase and it would cost more since labor and time were put into it.
2. Another important concept in understanding social class is value. Based on the ideas presented in Video 5.1, what is value?  What gives “value” to value, what makes something valuable?  Value is what something is worth due to the amount of time and labor put into it. A product’s value is measured by how much labor it takes to produce under normal circumstances. A product that was handmade and took more time is more likely to be more expensive due to everything it took to create it. While a product that took less time since it was made by fast machines would be worth less since it took less time and labor.
3. How are labor and value related? What’s the relationship/connection between the two? The connection between labor and value is that labor is the work that’s being done and put into something and this helps determine the value of a product. A value of a product is determined by the amount of labor that was put into it. The value is how much it is worth.
4. How do you understand the difference between labor and labor power? Hint: this is a key difference, give it your best shot based on what the video says about it, and your own ideas. We’ll clarify and develop it in our discussions, and in my video comments. The difference is that labor is the work that you do to produce while according to Marxist economics the ability to labor is the most important commodity in the world. It is the only commodity that when applied increases the value of what you have. The video gives a lot of examples such as mentioning when you go to work you rent out your labor power for the day the video also states that the amount of work you put in for the day is the same amount that you have to take out for the day. In order to get through the day, you need food , shelter , clothing etc. In other words you receive less than what you make.
5. Surplus Value: what is it? Why is it important to know about, in our study of social classes? Think about an example of surplus value? Surplus value is the value on top of the value it took to get you there, profit essentially. Marx believed you are always being paid less than what your labor is actually worth this is because the boss keeps the profit of all that hard work you did by selling it for more. 

1. What is the distinction that Reading 4.3 makes between owners and employees? Give an example of each. The distinction between owners and employees is based on the range of incomes within both classes. According to reading 4.3 owners are mainly rich families and individuals who compose the owning class and live mostly off investments that include stocks, bonds, rents, or property income. While employees live mostly off wages, salaries, and fees.
2. How do you understand the quote by Adam Smith on pg. 28? What is it saying about labor? Adam Smith states,” labor … is alone the ultimate and real standard by which the value of all commodities can at all times and places be estimated and compared. It is their real price; money is their nominal price only.” I believe that he is trying to say that many times we put attention to the price without realizing that is just a number and is nothing compared to what it took to create the product. Labor is worth so much and it takes so much time to create something therefore it should be priced equivalent to the amount of work done. In other words, price is determined by its cost of production. He also gave us a very good example of paper and furniture and what it takes for that product to be made but sometimes it’s just seen as a tree/wood and nothing more while it took many steps to make that.

3.What are your thoughts on the main argument of Reading 4.4 that class is NOT an identity? I agree that class is NOT an identity. I believe that people shouldn’t use class to define who they are. This can lead to the people in high class treating the ones who are lower very bad or unfairly. This would make them feel more like they have so much power if class was actually a form of identity. 

4.How do you understand the argument Reading 4.4. makes when stating that “class structures are built around a close form of dependency”? What is this close form of dependency, and can you think of an example? I believe that the argument “class structures are built around a close form of dependency” is based on the worker class and the capital class we read about and how although they are both two different and independent groups they still need each other in order to be successful. For example, the capitalist would need the workers in order to be successful and get their products sold and labor done while the workers need the capitalist because that’s their form of living without any products to sell or work on there won’t be any money made for them. They both contain something at the end of the day that benefits them on their own.

Question 1: Do you notice any similarities in the way social class is discussed in readings 4.1 and 4.2? Do you notice any differences in the way these two readings DIFFERENTIATE between social classes? 

There were a few similarities as well as differences that I noticed in both readings 4.1 and 4.2. A similarity shown is that both of the readings show us a visual of where certain groups of people are ranked in the social class based on their wealth, power, income, etc. The difference between both readings is that the first reading gives us definitions and perspectives of people and what category in the social class they believe they belong while the second reading is more of a visual graph of all the train lines and helps us see who lives in which area based on their economic income.

Question 2: Pick the station closest to where you live. Using the concepts from Reading 4.1, what social class tends to live in your neighborhood? Are you surprised (or not) by the answer? Do you feel it is an accurate representation of the people living in your neighborhood? The station closest to where I live would be the N train and based on Reading 4.1 the social class that tends to live in my neighborhood is the working class. I am not very sure if I agree or disagree with this answer since there is many people with different backgrounds and incomes. I also noticed that many as the years go by more and more different people move into my area while the ones who used to live here leave and find a more affordable place. 

Question 3: Based on Reading 4.2, do you notice a general pattern about social classes in NYC? Yes, I noticed that in every single train line the Manhattan side or anything close to manhattan are the people who live there are the ones with the highest income. I’ve noticed Brooklyn and many parts of the Bronx with low income which means low social class.

1. What is a Repressive State Apparatus? Why does Althusser call it “repressive”? Can we explain his choice of words here. Give an example.  Louis Althusser slightly changed the meaning of ideology in the 20th century he defined two types of apparatus that controlled behavior and one of them was repressive state apparatus which meant the control of people through the threat of violence including the police, courts and prisons. An example would be being put in jail after doing something wrong.

2. Let’s do the same for the Ideological State Apparatuses. What are they, how do they seem to work?  Ideological State Apparatuses is most likely the second choice it is only used once Repressive State Apparatus was used but wasnt sucessful all the way. When fear isn’t a motive in someones life being accepted to a certain group may be and thats when ideological is used so that the police and courts step in when that fails to put people in their place. Violence isnt use yet unless theres no choice and has to be used.

3. : How are the Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses different from each other? What is the difference between the two? The difference between both is that Repressive is more violent and has a bigger consequence such as having to be put in jail and being punished violently if not obeying or commiting a crime .While ideological state is being taught what may happen if you don’t obey on your own. This is taught in schools by teachers they discipline you and tell you what is wrong and it is up to you to follow rules and avoid bigger punishment.

4. Post an example of ideology. This could be a piece of writing, an image, video, pdf document, visual art, or music, clip from a movie. Next to your example, specify if this is an example of repressive or ideological apparatuses at work. I’ll start us of off by giving an example.

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fww2.kqed.org%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F10%2F2015%2F02%2Fberkeleypolice.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kqed.org%2Fnews%2F10434801%2F7-berkeley-police-officers-arrest-one-man-downtown-video&tbnid=O0eLeK8T8ZXvuM&vet=1&docid=GXhvbtRPwdVijM&w=720&h=480&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim

This image shows repressive apparatuses being used on people when not obeying authorities. Being punished violently is the next choice once a person doesnt obey in a ideological way.

1A. Based on the videos and readings Ideology is a persons political point of view in society it’s their ideas and thoughts put together and what the person thinks is better for the government including things such as the economic system. The videos contained some examples about some groups that are called political ideology such as conservative and liberals and their beliefs.

B. An example In the video was liberals and their beliefs they believed that they should recieve more help instead of giving so much out to the military and defense. They think that their budget should be cut and their should be more money for things like social programs, aiding the poor and having more benefits for groups such as minorities women. Liberals see the government as a necessary agent in promoting equality.

c) The way I see and understand ideology is a persons own belief based on their social life and economics.Its not always correct or the same group of people but its just ideas and beliefs they have. These pass on through families for example the video gave us an example of how kids who respect their parents are most likely to continue and agree with their beliefs for example continue having conservative beliefs if the parents have, if they dont and oppose they would be seen as rebellion. Ideology is seen through many types of groups and people can be identify differently such as liberal,conservative, libertarian, sociologist and many more. As I mentioned before the position you are born in economically can play a role in what you believe. For example Latinos and African americans are most likely to be liberals due to most being poor while white catholics are most likely to be wealthy and have conservatives beliefs.

2. There are many big differences between Conservative and liberal ideology in the US politics. Liberals are mostly known as the left wing and conservatives as the right wing. Liberals prefer the government to help the citizens more and provide them with programs and help they need such as benefits and health care services while conservatives prefer to not get the government involved and have less help. Since conservatives are most likely to have more money they believe that the government should tax less and spend less while liberals have less money and believe that the government should provide more services to help to the poor and increase taxes on the wealthy people. Their social views are also different for example liberals are more freely when it comes to people and believe they should be able to do what they want such as abortion and being gay while conservatives point of view on that is the opposite. They oppose to gay marriages and abortion.

3. How do you understand Althusser’s definition of ideology? Althusser argues that ideology is capitalist society in fundamental to social control and education is the right way to trasmit the idea of ideology. He defined two types of apparatus that controlled behavior. The first is called the repressive apparatus. The second one is called ideological . Repressive is when a person has the fear of violence and the fear and what may happen therefore the person follows what authority says and avoids punishment.Althussers also believed that the call of ideology, responding to it is what dooms you from the outset. He called that Interpellation. He believes that ideology is used to keep people under control and for them to obey and have discipline

1. Why do think Southern racist politicians chose to frame their defense of racial segregation through the language of “law and order”? What special advantages was this choice of words going to give them?

I believe that the reason that Southern racist politicians chose to frame their defense of racial segregation through the language of “law and order” was to make it less of a problem and a way to justify themselves when opposing to Civil rights movement. As stated in the article,”Southern governers and law enforcemnt officicals often characterized these tactics as criminal and argued that the rise of the civil rights movement was indicative of a breakdown of law and order.” This way they didn’t have to be seen as just racist people those were the advantages of using that term . And while using this term they can still be racist and view black people as criminals and protest against them.

1. Do you think the Southern Strategy is still influencing American politics? Give an example supporting your answer

Yes I believed that the southern strategy is still influnecing American politics today. There is many people with different types of views and if they see someone who believes or uses racist comments towards group of people it can influence others and spread around especially if its someone who has power already. Racism has been going on for years and with time it gets worse and worse therfore I know many people would still bring back racist terms or agree with the Southern Strategy. For example Donald Trump used the power he had to spread many hateful racist comments towards many groups of people based on their background. Such as the Black Lives Matter movement he didn’t approve to that and would see black people as criminals, He also said many racist comments about Mexicans even described them as “rapists” and “criminals” or just said many things such as make america great again. Trying to elimate and talk down on people with different backgrounds. People who agree with his mindset or look up to him would use these terms and can get influenced by them too therefore I do agree with southern strategy influencing American politics.

1. Michelle Alexander claims that the main explanation of why so many people are sent to jail in the U.S. today is deeply wrong. Explain her argument by referring to the various examples she mentions to backup her point. (see p. 1-2)

Michelle Alexander believes that the amount of people sent to jail in the U.S is deeply wrong. The reason she feels this way is because she believes this was all a plan by the government used to get rid poor black communities with the use of “War of drugs” campaign. She states,”The timing of the crack crisis helped to fuel conspiracy theories and general speculation in poor black communities that the War on Drugs was part of a genocidal plan by the government to destroy black people in the United States”. Michelle also mentions that since War of drugs was used the population of black people in jail has increased significantly.”The United States imprisons a larger percentage of its black population than South Africa did at the height of apartheid”. I agree with Michelle because the use of this campaign is more like of a trap or excuse to put people in jail when in reality its more of a set up. The reason I say its a set up is because she says, ” From the outset, stories circulated on the street that crack and other drugs were being brought into black neighborhoods by the CIA.” Although the CIA never actually admitted to purposely do it to target this group of people Michelle Alexander has great reasons for believing that and I agree with her.

2. Why is it that racial disparities in the rates of incarceration “cannot be explained by rates of drug crimes”?

The reason that racial disparities in the rates of incarceration “cannot be explained by rates of drug crimes” is because people of color are the ones who get target the most and have to do more time over something that every race or group of people does too. For example the text says, ” In Washington , D.C., our nations capital it is estimated that three out of of four young black men can expect to serve time in prison. Similar rates of incarceration can be found in black communities across America.” Many times it’s for unfair reasons or things that aren’t suppose to be punished that bad. Another statement made in the text was “These stark racial disparities cannot be explained by rates of drug crime.” It also mentions how studies have shown that people of all colors use and sell illegal drugs at remarkably similar rates. Therefore a specific group shouldnt be paying more for a crime when its done by different races as well.

3. How do you understand the phrase: “the American penal system has emerged as a system of social control unparalleled in world history.”?

“the American penal system has emerged as a system of social control unparalleled in world history” What I belive that this phrase means is that once commiting a crime and being punished for it restricts you from doing many other things later on in your social life. An example from the article is ” And in major cities wracked by the drug war , as many as 80 percent of young African American men now have criminal records and are thus subject to legalized discrimination for the rest of their lives. These young men are part of a growing undercaste permanently locked up and locked out of mainstream society.”