Difference Between Class Consciousness and False Consciousness

The main difference between class consciousness and false consciousness is that class consciousness is awareness of one’s own social class and economic rank in the context of a larger society, whereas false consciousness is a way of thinking that prevents an individual from perceiving the true nature of their social or economic situation.

Class consciousness and false consciousness are two major concepts in the Marxist theory of social class. These are basically two opposing concepts.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Class Consciousness 
      – Definition, Characteristics
2. What is False Consciousness
      – Definition, Characteristics
3. What is the Relationship Class Consciousness and False Consciousness
      – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Class Consciousness and False Consciousness
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Class Consciousness, False Consciousness, Marxism

What is Class Consciousness

Class consciousness is awareness of one’s own social/economic class, relative to others in society. In other words, it’s the set of beliefs a person holds regarding the social class or economic rank in society in the context of the larger society.

Class consciousness is a key concept in Marx’s conflict theory, which focuses on competition for limited resources, and the exploitation of proletariats by the bourgeoisie. The concept of class consciousness was developed in relation to his theory on how workers can overthrow capitalism and create a new system based on equality rather than inequality and exploitation. According to Marx, it is the awareness of one’s rank in society that that can bring forth a revolution that would “create a dictatorship of the proletariat, transforming it from a wage-earning, property-less mass into the ruling class”.

What is False Consciousness

False Consciousness is a concept that originates from Marxist theories of social class. Although Carl Marx did not actually use this term, this concept is embedded in his theories. This term was first used by Friedrich Engels. False consciousness refers to a state of mind that prevents an individual from recognizing the injustice of his or her current situation. Moreover, Marxists use this term to describe people’s (typically proletariats’) inability to recognize oppression, injustice, and exploitation they face within a capitalist society. Therefore, this is actually the opposite of class consciousness.

Furthermore, according to Marxist theories, it is the false consciousness that prevents workers or proletariats from revolting against their oppressors. In a capitalist society, the ruling class or the capitalists manipulate the working class through laws, media, religion, and other means, creating the belief that capitalism is good for everyone. Since workers hold values and beliefs that benefit the ruling class, they are not conscious of their dire situation. However, once they realize their position and become class conscious, they have the power to unify as a class and revolt against the system.

Relationship Between Class Consciousness and False Consciousness

Class Consciousness and false consciousness are basically opposing terms. In Marxist theory, workers actually live with a false consciousness before developing class consciousness. Due to their false consciousness, they are unable to realize that they are being oppressed and exploited within the capitalist society. Once they understand their shared political and economic interests and recognize their unity as a class of workers and power inherent in their numbers, they develop class consciousness. It is only then that they gain the power to revolt against the system based on exploitation and inequality, and create a new system based on equality.

Difference Between Class Consciousness and False Consciousness

Definition

Class consciousness is awareness of one’s own social class and economic rank in the context of a larger society, whereas false consciousness is a way of thinking that prevents an individual from perceiving the true nature of their social or economic situation.

Basis

Class consciousness involves people are who are well aware of their social and economic situation in society, whereas false consciousness involves people who do not realize their true social and economic situation in society.

Working Class

According to Marxism, workers with class consciousness understand that they are being exploited, while people with false consciousness hold values and beliefs that benefit the ruling class, and do not understand that they are being exploited.

Concepts

In brief, class consciousness and false consciousness are key concepts in Marxist Theory of social class. Class consciousness is the awareness of one’s own social class and economic rank in the context of the larger society. In contrast, false consciousness is a way of thinking that prevents an individual from perceiving the true nature of their social or economic situation. Thus, this is the main difference between class consciousness and false consciousness 

Reference:

1. “Class Consciousness.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Oct. 2019, Available here.
2. Crossman, Ashley. “Defining Marx’s Class Consciousness and False Consciousness.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 25 July 2019, Available here.
3. Little, Daniel. “Personal Home Pages.” False Consciousness, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Pyramid of Capitalist System” – Published by International Pub. Co., Cleveland, Ohio. – Uni Hamburg (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia