Question

The belief of many Americans that economic failure is attributed to a lack of hard work or to poor character while success is attributed to hard work and the openness of the economic system is, from the perspective of Karl Marx, an example of:

Option 1: Ideological blindness
Option 2: Self-fulfilling prophecy
Option 3: Blaming the victim
Option 4: False consciousness

Answer 1

The belief that economic failure is due to a lack of hard work or poor character, while success is attributed to hard work, is an example of false consciousness according to Karl Marx.

Step-by-step explanation:

The belief of many Americans that economic failure is attributed to a lack of hard work or to poor character while success is attributed to hard work and the openness of the economic system is an example of false consciousness from the perspective of Karl Marx.

False consciousness is a condition in which the beliefs, ideals, or ideology of a person are not in their own best interest. In this case, the dominant class (bourgeoisie capitalists) impose the ideology that hard work and competition benefit them, while workers are less likely to question their place in society or the existing conditions. This belief system perpetuates inequality and economic exploitation.