Louis Althusser(ideology & the state)

IDEOLOGY(WHAT IS IT?)

IDEOLOGY DEFINITION

An ideology is a set of ideas that constitute one's goals, expectations, and actions.

IDEOLOGY DEFINITION

An ideology is a comprehensive vision, a way of looking at things as in several philosophical tendencies, or a set of ideas proposed by the dominant class of a society to all members of this society.

IDEOLOGY DEFINITION

• What does this word mean to you?• What is an ideology?• The term ideology was coined (by Claude

Destutt in 1796) to mean "the science of ideas"

• Since then, has taken on many other meanings

• Here are some of the most common:

#1. Value-neutral conception What this implies an individual does not have an ideologybut an individual may reflect the ideology of the group they are a member of

IDEOLOGY DEFINITION

#2. Karl Marx's definition "False consciousness"

IDEOLOGY DEFINITION

#3: Focus on "ideological forms”

IDEOLOGY DEFINITION

#4: Ideology as "material practice”Examples of "material practice" that reflects ideologytaking summer holidays, giving gifts at Christmas

IDEOLOGY DEFINITION

Louis Althusser(1918-1990)

IDEOLOGY DEFINITION

I WOULD SAY…

IDEOLOGY DEFINITION

These things give us pleasure, release tensions

But ultimately they return us to our place in the social order

Because they reproduce the social conditions necessary for capitalism to continue

What produces and maintains (dominant) ideology in society?

Althusser talked about "ideological state apparatuses" (ISAs) Family Education system Church (religion) Mass media

These ISAs "train" us to follow and perpetuate the values and rules of the dominant classes

IDEOLOGY

ISAs vs. RSA Althusser: because of the power (and willingness)

of the ISAs to do the work of the powerful... The Repressive State Apparatus (government,

military, courts) need not use force The ISAs do their jobs And make us into good, law-abiding students,

family members, citizens, church members, capitalists

Who do not complain, do not try to overthrow the government, do not try to overthrow the bosses

IDEOLOGY & THE STATE

CONSEQUENTLY… Ideology (world-view maintained and "taught" by

the ISAs) comes to be seen as Natural Universal Complete Neutral Legitimate "common sense”

IDEOLOGY & THE STATE

In all of these definitions (except #1), ideology is...Meaning in the service of power

not just a value-neutral set or system of ideas

Rather, a system that underlies, supports, and justifies a group's

Exercise of powerMaintenance of powerStruggles for power

IDEOLOGY