Question 1
1. Use true or false to answer the following questions related to Foucault’s postmodern and
Marxism.
1.1. Foucault views power as something that is only possessed by dominant social classes.
False - Foucault sees power as diffuse, present in everyday interactions, not just held by
dominant classes.
1.2. Marxist theory primarily focuses on economic determinism, where economic factors are
seen as the driving force behind social structures and class relations.
True - Marxist theory focuses on how economic structures shape society and class relations.
1.3. Foucault’s concept of discourse refers to the ways in which language, knowledge, and
societal norms shape and control behavior.
True - Foucault’s discourse explains how language and norms influence behavior and maintain
control.
1.4. Unlike Marx, Foucault does not believe that power is primarily rooted in economic
structures.
True - Foucault doesn’t tie power strictly to economics; he sees it in broader, decentralized
terms.
1.5. Foucault’s theories on power and knowledge apply to a range of contemporary issues,
including digital surveillance, showing how societal control is maintained through observation
and information.
True - His ideas on surveillance and control apply to digital spaces and modern forms of
observation.
1.6. Marx’s concept of class struggle emphasises the importance of multiple, shifting power
relations rather than focusing solely on economic classes.
False - Marx’s class struggle centers on economic classes, not shifting power dynamics outside
of that.
1.7. Foucault’s critique of Marxism suggests that power can be analyzed solely through
economic structures.
False - Foucault argues that power can't be fully explained by economics alone.
1.8. Foucault’s approach to power allows for a more flexible analysis of social issues than
traditional Marxist analysis.
True - His view allows for examining power in varied social contexts beyond just class.