Theodor Adorno (1903-1969) believed that capitalism fed people with the products of a *culture industry* to keep them passively satisfied and politically apathetic.
Contrary to what Marx had predicted, capitalism has not become more fragile or on the verge of collapsing. In fact it appears to have become even more powerful and entrenched into people's minds. Marx focused on the economic aspect of it while Adorno placed emphasis on the role of culture in securing the status quo.
Popular culture is what maintains the passive satisfaction and lack of interest in overthrowing the capitalist system.
Other concepts Adorno developed: Culture Industry, False Needs, Commodity fetishism, Standardisation, Pseudo-Individualisation