Which theoretical perspective emphasizes power and ideology in explaining education inequality?

• A. Functionalism
• B. Marxism
• C. Humanism
• D. Post-structuralism

Answer: (B)

Power and ideology shape why education systems produce inequality in Marxist thinking. Marxists argue that society is split into classes based on who owns the means of production, and schools help reproduce that class structure. The curriculum, assessment practices, and everyday school culture carry ideas that reflect the interests of the ruling class, making inequality look natural or merit-based even when it isn’t. The hidden curriculum—lessons about obedience, competition, and acceptance of hierarchy—prepares students to fit into a capitalist economy, often privileging those with better access to cultural and economic resources. While other approaches offer different takes on education, Marxism centers the link between economic power, ideological control, and the transmission of inequality across generations.