To delve into the relation between Louis Althusser’s theory of “Ideology and Ideological state apparatus” one must first understand the point Althusser is trying to make. In Althusser’s state apparatus, he is extending ideology further away from the Marxist perspective of this concept. Marxism is a system that is based on the theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. The main idea of Marxism is a class struggle is a central element in in the analysis of social change in western culture. Marx’s theory tends to focus more on analytical and science based actions, rather than focusing on an individualistic idea. “This in essence is what is wrong with those Marxists who embrace a "scientist" view of structures; who emphasize the "rational choice"
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In a word to describe Althusser’s views on Marxism; Imaginary.
Althusser focuses more on the ideology of the Original work of Frenchman Jacques Lacan. He states that the world will start to form around us people once we fall into the symbolic order. Basically, once a child enters society and is able to start understanding the rules and languages of a society, the child will be able to address the stimulus that is other people. Due to the reliance on language, it is near impossible to achieve and understand “Real Conditions of Existence” according to both authors (Althusser, and Lacan).
In order for Althusser to attempt to convey his understanding of ideology he constructed four hypotheses. These four hypotheses include: 1) Ideology represents the imaginary relationship of individuals to their real conditions of existence, 2) Ideology has a material existence, 3) All ideology hails or interpolates concrete individuals as concrete subjects, 4) Individuals are always-already subjects. Humanity is always within the bounds of what ideology is due to our dependability on language to establish actuality and realism in our lives. Other ideologies are just altered representations of our social and imaginary “reality” and not an accurate representation of the real …show more content…
This is due to the fact that we all bear “Name-of-the-father” (a concept buried well into Lacan’s symbolic order) and by bearing this name our identity is set and irreplaceable, as well as what family configuration we will be put into. Althusser’s Ideological state apparatus addresses values rather than oppressive force i.e. churches, schools, families ect. It reinforces the force of the dominant class, because people will submit out of the fear of how they will be perceived rather than the fear that coincides with being pushed by the Repressive State Apparatus (dominating the working class). Althusser states that school is the most important ideology for instruction, just edging out the church. The reason he believes school is so important is because it allows people to become the productive forces and assume hegemony in Capitalism, and conceal the ideology of the ruling
In a word to describe Althusser’s views on Marxism; Imaginary.
Althusser focuses more on the ideology of the Original work of Frenchman Jacques Lacan. He states that the world will start to form around us people once we fall into the symbolic order. Basically, once a child enters society and is able to start understanding the rules and languages of a society, the child will be able to address the stimulus that is other people. Due to the reliance on language, it is near impossible to achieve and understand “Real Conditions of Existence” according to both authors (Althusser, and Lacan).
In order for Althusser to attempt to convey his understanding of ideology he constructed four hypotheses. These four hypotheses include: 1) Ideology represents the imaginary relationship of individuals to their real conditions of existence, 2) Ideology has a material existence, 3) All ideology hails or interpolates concrete individuals as concrete subjects, 4) Individuals are always-already subjects. Humanity is always within the bounds of what ideology is due to our dependability on language to establish actuality and realism in our lives. Other ideologies are just altered representations of our social and imaginary “reality” and not an accurate representation of the real …show more content…
This is due to the fact that we all bear “Name-of-the-father” (a concept buried well into Lacan’s symbolic order) and by bearing this name our identity is set and irreplaceable, as well as what family configuration we will be put into. Althusser’s Ideological state apparatus addresses values rather than oppressive force i.e. churches, schools, families ect. It reinforces the force of the dominant class, because people will submit out of the fear of how they will be perceived rather than the fear that coincides with being pushed by the Repressive State Apparatus (dominating the working class). Althusser states that school is the most important ideology for instruction, just edging out the church. The reason he believes school is so important is because it allows people to become the productive forces and assume hegemony in Capitalism, and conceal the ideology of the ruling