Frankfurt School

1. Group of critical theorists; who are associated with the "Institute for Social Research at the University of Frankfurt in Germany"; 
2. between 1920s to 1930s;
3. Initially focused on Marxist studies; later developed a more critical and interdisciplinary approach to social theory;
4. Heavily influenced by Marxist theory, but its members also drew on other intellectual traditions - psychoanalysis, existentialism, sociology; as well as  fields such as philosophy, sociology, political science, and cultural studies;
5. They were concerned with understanding the relationship between culture, politics, and society, and sought to develop a critical theory could help to explain the social and political problems of their time;
6. Seeks to understand and critique social structures and power relations;

Frankfurt School of critical thinkers
["Every Wise Man Enjoys His Habits"]

1. Ernst Bloch
2. Walter Benjamin
3. Max Horkheimer
4. Erich Fromm
5. Herbert Marcuse
6. Habermas

Concepts and Ideas

1. the critique of mass culture
2. the concept of the cultural industry
3. the analysis of authoritarianism
4. the rise of fascism

Features

1. It did not treat Marxism as sacrosanct but as a starting point and a helpful tool in analyzing and criticizing existing culture;
2. Its program was strictly non party in orientation;
3. It was profoundly influenced by the interpretation of Marxism developed by "Lukac's" and "Korsch" in the 1920s;
4. The school was a revisionist one revisiting orthodox Marxism but remained a revolutionary intellectual movement;
5. Critical Theory: Aimed to uncover hidden power dynamics, ideological structures, and social inequalities within capitalist societies;
6. Marxism and Neo-Marxism: They incorporated Marxist concepts and analysis into their work, to understand the role of capitalism and class struggle in shaping social relations and cultural production;
7. Culture and Mass Media: Emphasized the significance of culture, media, and popular entertainment in shaping individuals consciousness and perpetuating dominant ideologies;
   
8. The Cultural Industry: Give my "Theodore Adorno (Authoritarian Personality)"; this concept developed to describe the mass production and consumption of cultural products. Argue that culture industry standardized and commodified cultural expression, leading to the homogenization and manipulation of public tastes;
9. Alienation and Reification: Explored the alienating effects of capitalism on individuals experiences and relationships. And examined how capitalist modes of production and consumption led to the reification of social relations, reducing human beings to objects and commodities;
10. Authoritarianism and Totalitarianism: They sought to understand the social and psychological factors that contribute to the emergence of these oppressive systems - fascism and Stalinism;
11. Critical Pedagogy: Herbert Marcuse and Theodor Adorno focused on the role of education in reproducing social inequalities; They advocated for critical pedagogy that encouraged students to question authority and challenge dominant ideologies;
12. Emancipatory Potential: Explored possibilities for social transformation and emancipation. They aimed to uncover the conditions for genuine human liberation from oppressive structures and ideologies;