TV: Capital - Marxism and Hegemony

Task 1: Mail Online review of Capital

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

Based from the review Capital is viewed to support a left wing ideology because it portrays marginalised groups such as immigrants and working class families sympathetically while criticising wealth and privilege. For example, the illegal immigrant character is shown as hardworking and morally responsible, emphasising her desire to contribute and not rely on benefits, which challenges negative stereotypes. In contrast, the wealthy residents on Pepys Road are portrayed as materialistic or morally flawed, reinforcing criticism of corporate greed and social inequality. The storyline involving the Muslim man being treated harshly by anti terror police also highlights concerns about institutional power and discrimination. These representations reflect left wing values by questioning authority, wealth distribution, and social injustice.

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?

According to the film review, the viewer states many criticisms such as, "The last 20 minutes contained no plot. Whatever story there had ever been was over. We just watched all the characters saying goodbye to each other" establishing the ending lacked to follow a narrative in order to keep the audience interested and entertained. I disagree with this view because although the final scenes focus on character closure rather than dramatic action, this can reflect realistic storytelling by resolving themes and conveying the consequences of the events in the drama. The ending may not contain high levels of conflict, but it provides emotional resolution and reinforces the social messages presented throughout the series.

Another direct quote from the review, which indicates that the main idea of Capital went nowhere as, "The residents were bemused, but not scared. The police were clueless, but they still got to the bottom of it. And there wasn’t just a single perpetrator: the crime was handed from one cardboard character to the next. That’s not a whodunnit, it’s a cop-out" conveying that the producers of the show were not successful in painting a picture of the idea they wanted to encapsulate to their target audience. I disagree with this because the TV drama deliberately shifts focus away from a traditional crime driven structure and instead uses the mystery as a device to explore wider social issues and character development. Therefore, while it may not follow conventional thriller expectations, it successfully communicates its broader themes.

Finally, another quote from the film review which are particularly critical of Capital but shows empathy towards characters is, "The hardest worker on the street was an illegal immigrant, determined to pay her way and not touch a penny of benefits. She was deported, though she did find time to teach English to some of her fellow saints at the detention centre." evoking that not all characters are materialistic and 'money-hungry' in the show. I agree with this because the representation challenges negative stereotypes surrounding immigrants and instead presents them as hardworking and morally strong individuals. This reinforces the idea that the programme attempts to humanise marginalised groups while criticising inequality within society.

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

In Capital, several scenes and characters can be read as promoting left wing ideology because they highlight inequality and challenge wealth and authority. For example, the storyline involving the illegal immigrant portrays her as hardworking and morally responsible, despite facing deportation. This representation supports a more sympathetic view of immigrants and critiques strict immigration policies. Additionally, the scenes showing anti error police arresting a Muslim character suggest criticism of institutional power and potential discrimination, reflecting concerns about state authority. The wealthy residents on Pepys Road are often portrayed as materialistic or disconnected from wider social issues, which reinforces a critique of privilege and economic inequality. These elements together promote ideas aligned with left-wing values by questioning power structures and highlighting social injustice.

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

Although Capital is often interpreted as promoting left wing ideas, there are aspects of the programme that could reinforce right wing or capitalist viewpoints. For example, the focus on wealthy homeowners and property ownership highlights the importance of private property and financial success within London society, which aligns with capitalist values. Some of the affluent characters are also portrayed as successful and ambitious, suggesting that wealth can be achieved through hard work and investment. Additionally, the resolution of the postcard mystery through police involvement reinforces trust in authority and state institutions, which can support more traditional or right leaning perspectives on law and order. While the show critiques inequality, it also unintentionally presents elements that uphold existing economic and power structures.

Furthermore, the representation of the wealthy residents is not entirely negative, which could suggest support for capitalist ideals. The characters who own property on Pepys Road are shown as financially secure and able to maintain their lifestyle, reinforcing the idea that property ownership and economic success are desirable goals. The narrative does not completely punish or remove these characters, but instead allows them to retain their status by the end of the series. This could imply that the programme accepts the existence of wealth and capitalism rather than completely rejecting it, even if it critiques inequality. As a result, the show presents a more complex ideological position rather than a purely left wing message.

Task 2: Media Factsheet - Applying Marxism 

1) What does Marxism suggest regarding power in society?

Marxists are interested on the impact of capitalism within society. Power was held by a minority known as the bourgeoisie who had access to capital and could use their money and power to generate more wealth. The rest of the population known as the proletariat had only their labour to help them make a living. Industrialisation had meant that the bourgeoisie needed to get as much labour from the proletariat in order to access the means of production. Without the ability to produce for themselves the mass were dependent on the  bourgeoisie to survive. To max profit,  bourgeoisies needed to get as much labour as possible from the proletariat for little costs so the bourgeoisies can make the most money they can. They still needed the mass to accept their position as powerless workers.

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

The Apprentice reinforces capitalist values by portraying Lord Alan Sugar, a wealthy entrepreneur, as the ultimate authority, symbolising the power of the capitalist elite. Contestants, dependent on him for a job, are judged based on qualities like confidence, leadership, and teamwork, which align with capitalist ideals of success. The tasks focus on profit driven activities, emphasising that success in business is about making money and conforming to capitalist norms. This portrayal normalises the capitalist hierarchy and promotes a false consciousness, leading audiences to believe that success is solely based on personal traits rather than systemic inequality.

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.

• Fetishising Working-Class Life: "Only Fools and Horses" - portrays working class life in a romanticised and somewhat idealised manner. The show centers on the Trotter family, particularly Del Boy, who despite their financial struggles, are depicted as resilient, resourceful, and close knit. The characters’ sense of community, camaraderie in the local pub, and family support system are celebrated, presenting working class life as a fulfilling, even enviable way of life. This idealisation creates a sense of nostalgia for the "simpler" life, suggesting that happiness can be found in shared experiences and enduring hardship, rather than in material wealth or upward social mobility. In this sense, the show fetishises working class life by focusing on the warmth of family bonds and the humor found in their daily struggles, thereby presenting a distorted, positive image of the working class that doesn’t reflect the economic realities faced by many in the working class today.

• Demonising the Working Class: The Daily Mail - The Daily Mail frequently demonises the working class, especially those relying on government benefits. The newspaper often uses sensational headlines, such as referring to individuals on benefits as “scroungers,” implying that they are lazy and undeserving of social support. Through this language, the Daily Mail constructs a narrative in which poverty is seen as a personal failing, rather than a consequence of structural inequalities or systemic issues. This approach perpetuates negative stereotypes about the poor, framing them as a drain on society rather than individuals caught in a cycle of disadvantage. By focusing on stories of welfare fraud and criminal misuse of benefits, the Daily Mail promotes the idea that people living in poverty are responsible for their situation and must be held accountable, ignoring the broader social and economic factors that contribute to poverty. This reinforces the capitalist ideology that individual responsibility and hard work are the keys to success, while demonising those who do not fit.

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.

• Show the values of the power elite as beneficial to the mass - In Capital, the power elite (represented by wealthy business figures and politicians) frequently promote their own interests while presenting them as beneficial to society as a whole. For example, when the characters from the financial sector discuss their schemes, they often frame their actions as necessary for the economy, presenting a false narrative that their profit making activities ultimately benefit everyone, including the working class. However, this idea is increasingly revealed to be hollow as the series progresses, highlighting the gap between the elite’s rhetoric and the reality for the masses.

• Show queries or challenges to the base as meaningless, foolish or anti-social via ‘failed revolt’ - In episode 1, the actions of protestors and the characters who challenge the capitalist system are often depicted as futile or misguided. For example, while characters like Vic and his colleagues seek to resist the system, their efforts are undermined by larger systemic forces. Their resistance often seems ineffective, highlighting how challenges to the capitalist base are quickly neutralised or dismissed. This reflects the Marxist idea of how the system works to suppress or invalidate attempts to overthrow it.

• Show the subdominant position of the masses as a naturalised ideas - The masses, particularly the working class characters in Capital, are shown to accept their position in the capitalist system as a natural part of life. They do not actively question their place within the economic structure and are portrayed as resigned to their circumstances. For example, the shop workers and lower-level employees seem to believe that their struggle is a part of the inevitable order of things, emphasising the idea that the subdominant position of the working class is normalised and ingrained in their consciousness.

• Show the values of the power elite as ‘natural’ or ‘right’ - In Capital, the capitalist elite’s values, such as profit maximisation, competitiveness, and individual success, are often portrayed as the natural way of doing business. The protagonists in the finance sector express no guilt or doubt over their actions, reinforcing the belief that their wealth and power are the result of rightful, almost moral, superiority. The characters at the top of the financial system appear entitled to their wealth, and there is little to no reflection on the broader social inequalities their wealth perpetuates.

• Show that being a member of the mass is a good thing - This bullet point is not fully exemplified in Capital. The show does not romanticise the lives of the working-class characters. Instead, it depicts them as caught in a cycle of hardship, without portraying their lives as inherently fulfilling or desirable. The masses are largely shown as being trapped within a system that limits their potential, rather than as benefiting from their position.

• Show the masses accepting the values of the power elite - Some characters in Capital are shown to accept or internalise the values of the power elite. For example, many of the characters, despite their struggles, often hold beliefs aligned with capitalist ideologies, such as the belief that hard work will eventually lead to success. However, this acceptance is not universal, and some characters, particularly the union workers, actively resist the status quo, questioning the legitimacy of the elite's values.

• Show the values of the power elite as being ‘for the good of the masses’ (even when unpleasant) - At various points in Capital, the elite characters attempt to justify their actions as being for the good of society. For example, the banking sector is depicted as essential for economic growth, with the wealthy business leaders positioning themselves as job creators and economic saviors. They argue that their wealth generation benefits society, even as their actions result in the exploitation of the masses, presenting a false narrative that serves to maintain the capitalist status quo.

Optional extension: Media Magazine feature on BBC drama The Casual Vacancy and ideology

If you'd like to further understand Marxism, Hegemony and the media,  and read the feature 'The Beeb, The Mail and JKR' in MM53 (page 20). This focuses on the politics of The Casual Vacancy, another BBC three-part drama based on a book by JK Rowling.

After you've read the article, think about or write answers to the questions below:

1) Why did the Daily Mail suggest The Casual Vacancy promoted a left-wing ideology?

The Daily Mail criticised The Casual Vacancy for promoting a left wing ideology due to its portrayal of wealthy characters as hypocritical and self serving. The drama depicts the affluent residents of Pagford as attempting to shut down essential community services, such as the local food bank and the rehabilitation center Sweetlove House, for their own financial gain. This aligns with J.K. Rowling’s personal political stance, where she has been vocal about her opposition to austerity measures, benefit cuts, and the withdrawal of public services. The Daily Mail's response suggests that the series represents a critique of the wealthy and a call for more state responsibility in providing welfare and support to vulnerable individuals, which it sees as left-wing politics.

2) How does the article suggest characters, narrative and setting are used to promote a left-wing ideology?

The article suggests that The Casual Vacancy uses its characters, narrative, and setting to promote left-wing ideology by framing key social issues through the lens of inequality and social justice. Characters like Barry Fairbrother serve as moral figures advocating for social welfare, highlighting the importance of community services like Sweetlove House. In contrast, wealthy characters such as the Mollisons are portrayed negatively, primarily concerned with their own interests and representing the capitalist class. The setting of Pagford, a town divided between the privileged and the working class, underscores the social divide, using the backdrop of local council politics to question the role of the state in supporting the poor and marginalised. This framing, where the wealthy are shown as selfish and the working class as deserving of support, critiques capitalist ideologies in favor of a more compassionate, welfare-based approach.

3) What research is quoted regarding BBC bias and what did it find? Do you think the BBC is biased?

The article quotes research by Dr. Mike Berry of Cardiff University, which was commissioned by the BBC Trust to investigate claims of bias within the BBC. The study found that, contrary to the Daily Mail’s assertions of left-wing bias, the BBC was more aligned with right-wing perspectives, particularly in its coverage of economic and political issues. The research suggested that, if anything, the BBC showed a subtle bias toward conservative views. As for whether the BBC is biased, while critics argue that the BBC’s programming may sometimes reflect institutional biases, it is important to recognise that the corporation strives for impartiality and balance. The study’s findings suggest that any perceived bias is more complex than simple left or right categorisation, indicating that the BBC aims to serve a broad range of political views but may lean toward more centrist or right-leaning perspectives in certain areas.

4) Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggests people are kept under control through active consent - the control of 'common sense'. How could you apply the Daily Mail or the BBC to the idea of hegemony and dominant ideologies in the UK media?

Gramsci’s concept of hegemony revolves around the idea that dominant ideologies maintain power through widespread consent rather than coercion, shaping what is considered “common sense.” The Daily Mail, with its conservative stance, plays a role in reinforcing capitalist and individualistic ideologies by framing social issues such as welfare dependency as problematic. Its portrayal of the working class often carries a moral judgment, presenting the poor as responsible for their own plight and promoting the idea that the wealthy and self reliant are deserving of their success. In this way, the Daily Mail helps maintain the hegemonic view that personal responsibility is paramount, and state intervention is undesirable.

On the other hand, the BBC, despite criticisms of left wing bias, helps perpetuate a dominant ideology by providing a platform for both sides of political debates. However, by adhering to mainstream, institutionalised norms in its programming, the BBC may inadvertently reflect and reinforce the status quo, reinforcing ideas of political neutrality that serve the interests of powerful elites. Both the Daily Mail and the BBC, therefore, participate in the construction of what is deemed “common sense” in the media landscape, with the Daily Mail leaning toward the right and the BBC striving for balance, but potentially reflecting more subtle forms of ideological control in its representation of societal issues.