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
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
Hinweis der Redaktion
#1. Value-neutral conceptionSystematic body of ideas, a world-view,articulated by a particular group of people"Pattern of ideas, belief systems, or interpretive schemes found in a society or among a specific social group" (Hall).
#1. Value-neutral conceptionSystematic body of ideas, a world-view,articulated by a particular group of people"Pattern of ideas, belief systems, or interpretive schemes found in a society or among a specific social group" (Hall).#2. Karl Marx's definition"False consciousness": a masking, distortion, or concealmentThe way some cultural texts and practices present distorted images of realityIdeology works in interest of the powerfuland AGAINST interests of the powerlessResults of ideological distortion, in Marx's viewConceals reality of domination from those in power: dominant class do not see themselves as exploitersConceals reality of domination from the powerless: they do not see themselves as exploited
#1. Value-neutral conceptionSystematic body of ideas, a world-view,articulated by a particular group of people"Pattern of ideas, belief systems, or interpretive schemes found in a society or among a specific social group" (Hall).#2. Karl Marx's definition"False consciousness": a masking, distortion, or concealmentThe way some cultural texts and practices present distorted images of realityIdeology works in interest of the powerfuland AGAINST interests of the powerlessResults of ideological distortion, in Marx's viewConceals reality of domination from those in power: dominant class do not see themselves as exploitersConceals reality of domination from the powerless: they do not see themselves as exploitedTexts (mediated) always present a particular picture of the world, always take sides, thus reflect producer's ideologyAll texts are ultimately political: they offer one view or another (but not a multiplicity of views!) of how the world isDiffering ideological significations of reality compete with one another#4: Ideology as "material practice"French Marxist philosopher Louis Althusser (1918-1990) saidIdeology is not simply a body of ideas, but rather "material practice"Ideology is encountered in practices of everyday life
#1. Value-neutral conceptionSystematic body of ideas, a world-view,articulated by a particular group of people"Pattern of ideas, belief systems, or interpretive schemes found in a society or among a specific social group" (Hall).#2. Karl Marx's definition"False consciousness": a masking, distortion, or concealmentThe way some cultural texts and practices present distorted images of realityIdeology works in interest of the powerfuland AGAINST interests of the powerlessResults of ideological distortion, in Marx's viewConceals reality of domination from those in power: dominant class do not see themselves as exploitersConceals reality of domination from the powerless: they do not see themselves as exploitedTexts (mediated) always present a particular picture of the world, always take sides, thus reflect producer's ideologyAll texts are ultimately political: they offer one view or another (but not a multiplicity of views!) of how the world isDiffering ideological significations of reality compete with one another
These things give us pleasure, release tensionsBut ultimately they return us to our place in the social orderBecause they reproduce the social conditions necessary for capitalism to continue
natural (as opposed to constructed)universal (as opposed to particular)complete (as opposed to incomplete)neutral (as opposed to partial/biased)legitimate (as opposed to illegitimate)"common sense" (as opposed to a particular, chosen, preferred sense)