Marxism (Louis Althusser)

1. Louis Althusser
(ideology & the state)

2. IDEOLOGY DEFINITION
IDEOLOGY
(WHAT IS IT?)

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

4. 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:

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

6. IDEOLOGY DEFINITION
#2. Karl Marx's definition
"False consciousness"

7. IDEOLOGY DEFINITION
#3: Focus on "ideological
forms”

8. IDEOLOGY DEFINITION
#4: Ideology as "material
practice”
Examples of "material practice" that
reflects ideology
taking summer holidays, giving gifts at
Christmas

9. IDEOLOGY DEFINITION
I WOULD SAY…
Louis
Althusser
(1918-1990)

10. 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

11. IDEOLOGY
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

12. IDEOLOGY & THE STATE
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

13. 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”

14. IDEOLOGY
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 power
Maintenance of power
Struggles for power