1. Describe how you understand ideology in YOUR OWN WORDS.

Ideology to me, is the beliefs and values that ultimately shape and help guide a person or persons on how they understand and navigate society, politics, and life in general. Not everyone will have the exact same ideology and that could be because of the groups we are around and what are exposed to in our life time. I believe that ideologies can make a big enough impact to influence our attitudes, how we behave and how we interpret the world around us. An example of an ideology would be being for or against abortion. Being for or against abortion can be dependent on many things, such as: your families religious beliefs, the town or city you grew up in and what your local officials might have to say about the topic.

2. How do you understand the difference between conservative and liberal ideology in US politics? What seems to be the big difference? the dividing line? Give an example to back up your arguments. Hint: try to identify keywords (concepts) that play a big role in making someone consider themselves to be liberal or conservative. Then, explain in your own words what those keywords (concepts) mean.

• The difference between Conservative and Liberal are their ideologies and what and how the government should work for the people. For example, Conservatives believe that the government should have a more limited role in our society. Conservatives are also more in line with traditional marriages between a man and a women and are not usually supporters or advocates for the LGBTQ+ movement. However, on the other side, Liberals are supportive of government being involved and implementing welfare programs and equal opportunities in the education and healthcare systems. Liberals also support the freedoms for people to be able to choose who they marry (same sex, transgender etc). Liberals seem to be more open to change and ultimately the opportunity for equality across the board.

3. How do you understand Althusser’s definition of ideology? Paraphrase it in your own words. Given an example. Hint: you may have to watch the second video again, and find the few places where Althusser’s position is presented.

• How I understood Althusser’s definition of ideology is that there are a set of values in place to maintain and support the structures of powers that exist. An example that I thought about were laws, law enforcement and our justice system. These are things put in place to ultimately keep society/people “in place.” Having these elements promotes fear upon society to not do anything outside of this “box.” It is there to maintain order and structure.

Hi Kelsey!! Agree with your post. I liked how you described ideology as a structure. I used the same word to describe it, lol. I also liked your example of an ideology and how you used the concept of abortion as part of your example. Very good, loved your responses!!

1. Keeping in mind the material covered in this lesson, describe how you understand ideology in YOUR OWN WORDS. Hint: One way to approach this is as follows:
   a) Describe what ideology is in a brief paragraph (in your own words).
   b) Give an example illustrating what you wrote in (a).
   c) Write another paragraph (or two) explaining to your reader, with additional details, how you understand ideology 

Ideology means the beliefs, opinions, or values of an individual or group. Ideology often refers to a set of political or religious beliefs. Such as how Christianity has a belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit or how feminist ideology is about respecting diverse women’s identities, experiences, and knowledge. They believe in leveling the playing field between genders, ensuring that girls and women are given the same opportunities as boys and men. 

Another example of ideology is how Conservatives support Christian values and traditional family values while opposing abortion, same-sex marriage, and transgender rights.  

These beliefs allow some people to have a clear sense of purpose and identity. They show what are considered acceptable standards of behavior, expectations, and social roles. Ideology can be thought of as a group of individuals who share the same values and attitudes and aim to preserve their beliefs and institutions.  

 2. How do you understand the difference between conservative and liberal ideology in US politics? What seems to be the big difference, the dividing line? Give an example to back up your arguments. Hint: try to identify keywords (concepts) that play a big role in making someone consider themselves to be liberal or conservative. Then, explain in your own words what those keywords (concepts) mean.

I understand the difference between Conservative and Liberal ideology in US politics is that Conservatives prefer a small government and for most services to be provided by the private sector. They do not support gay marriage or abortions and support the right to bear arms. Liberals prefer more regulations and services like free universal health care to be provided by the government to all citizens. They support equal rights for all; abortion should be legal, and support restrictions on the right to bear arms.  

Conservatives, known as the Right, believe in upholding traditional family values; they do not support environmental and consumer protections, disability and retirement support, minimum wage laws, unemployment compensation, occupational safety, and injury compensation laws. 

Liberals, known as the Left, support public services and environmental protection as well as supporting minimum wage laws, unemployment insurance, social security, occupational safety, and protection of individual rights. 

 3. How do you understand Althusser’s definition of ideology? Paraphrase it in your own words. Give an example. Hint: you may have to watch the second video again and find the few places where Althusser’s position is presented.

 I understand Althusser’s definition of ideology to be made up of two ideas repressive state apparatus and ideological state apparatus. Repressive state apparatus is the use of fear to control or manipulate people by using the threat of violence as well as police, courts, and prisons. Ideological state apparatus is the use of methods other than violence to attain the same objective as the repressive state apparatus, such as schools, politics, and media outlets. 

1. Ideology refers to a set of beliefs, values, and ideas that shape a person’s or a group’s view of the world/government and guide their actions and behaviors. It provides a structure in which individuals interpret the world around them and influences their political, social, and cultural perspectives. An example of ideology could be a political ideology such as liberalism, which emphasizes individual rights, democracy, and free market economics. Individuals subscribing to liberalism might advocate for policies that prioritize personal freedoms, equality of opportunity, and limited government intervention in the economy. Ideology serves as a lens through which individuals perceive and make sense of the problems around the world. It not only informs one’s beliefs and values but also influences their understanding of power dynamics, social structures, and the distribution of resources. Ideologies can be explicit or implicit, shaping our perceptions and guiding our decision-making processes in a variety of contexts, from politics and economics to culture and religion. They play a significant role in shaping societies, influencing policies, and defining identities, often leading to diverse viewpoints and conflicts based on differing ideological stances.
2. In US politics, conservative and liberal ideologies represent two distinct sets of beliefs and values that often serve as the dividing line between different political perspectives. Conservatives generally advocate for traditional values, limited government intervention, and free-market principles. They often prioritize individual responsibility, traditional family structures, and national security. On the other hand, liberals tend to support progressive ideas, government intervention to address social issues, and policies promoting equality and social justice. They prioritize issues such as healthcare access, environmental protection, and civil rights. An example illustrating this divide could be the debate over healthcare policy. Conservatives might favor market-based solutions, such as private insurance options and limited government involvement in healthcare, emphasizing individual choice and free-market competition. In contrast, liberals might support policies like universal healthcare or a public option, aiming to ensure healthcare access for all citizens and reduce disparities in healthcare outcomes. Overall, the key differences between conservative and liberal ideologies in US politics lie in their views on the role of government, social issues, economic policies, and individual rights. These ideological divides often shape policy debates, electoral campaigns, and the overall direction of the country’s governance.
3. Louis Althusser defined ideology as a system of beliefs and ideas that shape how individuals perceive reality and their place in society. Ideology functions by interpellating individuals, meaning it calls upon them to assume specific roles and conform to certain norms and values without their conscious awareness. It works to maintain existing power structures and social relations by influencing people’s thoughts, behaviors, and identities. For example, in a capitalist society, the ideology of capitalism might interpellate individuals into believing that success is primarily measured by material wealth and possessions. This ideology could shape people’s aspirations, choices, and behaviors, directing them towards prioritizing economic gain and competition within the existing capitalist system, even if they are not fully conscious of how these beliefs influence their actions.

1. Ideology is a belief system that can influence the structure or development of different groups of people. For example, Abortion is an ideology amongst woman/ feminist. Some woman believe that abortion should be illegal while others believe that it should not be legal. This ideology can come from there individual beliefs through religion and personal experience.
2. Conservative ideology supports individual rights while liberal ideology supports multiple groups of people and wants everyone to be equal. The big difference between conservatives and liberals is that conservatives care more about liberty while liberals care more about equality. Conservatives believe that the government poses a threat to their liberty so they want to reduce spending towards the government and focus more on individual values and social issues. Liberals believe that the government can solve problems and boost equality so they increase taxes and regulations to benefit minorities. They believe that we spend more than enough on the military so the budget should be cut for necessary social programs.
3. Althusser’s definition of ideology is a belief system that is needed to maintain order amongst groups of people through status quo. An example would be school. School teaches you to follow a schedule and theirs a lot of discipline and correction when you fail to obey the schedule given by the authority. This type of system trains you to be respective and to respect your authority and to avoid rebellion.

1. Ideology is a set of rules someone follows because of what they believe in. This structured set of values essentially divides society in two when they choose their beliefs as a conservative or liberal. It plays a big role in society and what people’s perspective of the world. Although, with a set list of rules and beliefs, it is also easy for an individual to resonate with a little bit of both beliefs sets. To give an example, I have a friend names Leah who believes that everybody is equal and the government should step in to address societal issues. This would be a liberal ideology. However, Leah also believes the government should be of more assistance when individuals are trying to get access to healthcare. This would be a more conservative ideology. Ideology can be very tricky when it comes down to pleasing each individual person. The majority will agree with these sets of beliefs, but inevitably there will be some people who have opposing opinions on some values. It plays more of a role in out day to day life than we realize. Person A believing that we need minimal government assistance, Person B believing that we need minimal government assistance, both people with opposing values could both very much agree on other values like promoting sustainability. Ideology is not so black & white. It is very easy for someone to agree with most values on one set of beliefs but disagree with some. Although, I believe the difference in everyones political views is overall a good thing as it keeps conversation going on how we can all do better.
2. I understand conservative and liberal ideologies as two opposing views in US politics. The biggest difference would be in terms of operation. For example, in social issues, conservative ideology tend to practice social & cultural norms, traditional family values, etc. Conservatives are opposed to societal change that get in the way of their current ones. Someone who is considered a conservative would typically be against same sex marriage. Liberals, on the other hand, are more open minded to change in their ‘norms’. They are more supportive of policies that include diversity and equal rights for everybody. Someone who is liberal would be all for same sex marriage.
3. Althusser’s definition of ideology was that it was a set of values and beliefs made to support current power structures. Believing that whatever or whoever was more in control, these ideologies would be tailored to only reinforce to those. An example of this would be, a case where one religious group was more powerful than the rest. The dominant ideology would be to support the superiority of that religious group. Whoever has the opposing ideology, is seen as morally inferior.

1. To me, ideology is like a personal filter or lens for how we see the world. It’s made up of what we believe and value, and how we understand and perceive everything around us. There’s no right or wrong (unless it’s extreme, of course) and everyone’s different ideals should be respected generally. And this generally agreed-upon ideology as a group shapes a bigger frame as a country, affecting the governing laws and expectations of how people should behave.
   
   
2. When I think about the differences between conservative and liberal ideologies in U.S. politics, I see it as a matter of how much freedom and government involvement people believe is best for society. Conservatives, in my view, really value personal freedom, especially when it comes to owning property and making money. They seem to believe in the idea of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and tend to want the government to stay out of people’s business (“free market capitalism” according to the reading material). Yet, they support strict law enforcement and traditional views on social issues like abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and feminism, aiming to keep things the way they’ve traditionally been.
   
   On the flip side, I understand liberals as being more focused on fixing the social inequalities and injustices in society. They agree with conservatives about the free market being a good thing to a certain extent, but they see big differences in how to handle social issues. Liberals push for laws that help even the playing field, like minimum wage laws and better public services. Those on the far left take it further, advocating for free healthcare and education as ways to give everyone a fair chance at success.
   
   A clear example that highlights this divide for me is the debate over healthcare. Conservatives I’ve listened to argue for a healthcare system driven by the market, believing competition will lead to better services. In contrast, liberals, especially the far left, argue that healthcare is a right everyone should have access to (for example: Obama Care), regardless of their financial situation. And Biden’s student loan forgiveness is another great example of what liberals believe in while conservative states are strongly against his plan and even brought it up to the Supreme Court.
   
   
3. Althusser explained ideology as a system that justifies keeping things the way they are, suggesting that society doesn’t need to change, started in Feudal Age when the privileged class used it to maintain their power and status quo. Then he explained this idea has changed or evolved in the 20th century, arguing that ideology reinforces behaviors that are expected and accepted in a capitalist society. So I think ideology is like water in which it doesn’t have a definite shape or rigid frame but rather flows freely and can be changed interchangeably depending on the era, situation, and by what kind of people use it with a specific purpose as a way to control or retain their power.

1. I believe ideology is a set of ideas, beliefs, or values that form the basis of an individual’s or a group’s way of thinking, this usually helps guide their understanding of our world, influencing their opinion’s, and actions. A lot of the times it involves a diverse worldview that provides a foundation for interpreting social, political, and economic problems. An example of ideology could be liberalism which is both a social as well as a political ideology. Liberals support the ideas of equal rights, freedom, and a democratic form of government. They support policies that often have to do with healthcare they believe everyone should have access to affordable healthcare, they advocate for education they believe everyone should have access to an affordable higher education and they want to combat educational inequalities. Another policy they support are ones that have to do with our environment. They want to protect the environment and make it more sustainable, so they advocate for policies that want to help stop climate change one way is to start switching to renewable energy.
2. The difference between conservative and liberal ideology in U.S. politics is that one when it comes to the role the government plays conservatives feel that the government should have a limited role in the economy, they encourage the free market system, while liberals believe the government should play a role in our economy that way, they ensure equal economic opportunities for everyone. Another difference is when it comes to economic policies conservatives feel that taxes should be lowered, the government should reduce their regulations and let them operate using the free market system, while the liberals believe in increasing the amount of taxes you pay as your income rises, they believe in providing help for people that are in economic need such as food stamps etc. “Substantial majorities support unemployment insurance, disability assistance, job retraining, childcare, price supports for family farms, and food stamps for the needy, while opposing tax cuts for the very rich and privatization of social services. Large majorities want improvements in managed health care and favor a universal health insurance program run by the government and funded by taxpayers. When it comes to healthcare”. One way I tell the difference between conservative, and liberals is to think about it as conservative value freedom while liberals value equality.
3. My understanding of what Althusser’s definition of ideology is a system of beliefs and ideas that assists in forming a person’s understanding of the world and what role they play in it. It helps prevent change in the status quo they always want to keep the status quo in place. An example of this is his thoughts on our educational system and how it works as an ideological state of apparatus because here we are taught how to obey authority, follow directions, they teach us values that will be used once we enter our capitalist society.

1.

1a) Ideology refers to the beliefs, values, and ideas that shape how people think of and understand the world around them. It influences how people think, behave, and interact within society, usually supporting the way things are and how people usually act and share power in a group

1b) An example of this can be seen in the education system, in school, kids are taught to follow rules, listen to teachers, and do well in their studies, and if they don’t follow the rules they face consequences such as going to detention. As they grow up, these ideas stick with them and influence how they see and interact with the world.

1c) Besides influencing people’s views and behaviors, ideology plays an essential role in maintaining the status quo in society. It is frequently used by those in power to protect and uphold the social, political, and economic systems that are in place. Ideology is passed on and internalized by the general public through institutions like the government, media, and the educational system, influencing how people view the world and themselves.

2. Conservatives in US politics favor less government intervention and have a strong emphasis on individual accountability and free markets. For example, they could make the case for easing corporate rules to boost economic expansion. They support a strong national defense as well. Liberals, on the other hand, support laws that protect the environment and consumers, as well as progressive taxes, as ways for the government to fight inequality in society. They support social initiatives like healthcare and education that are supported by the government. Liberals might, for example, support increasing the minimum wage to lower income disparity and raise workers’ standards of living. The main difference between
conservatives and liberals are that the conservatives place more importance on individual liberties, while liberals place more emphasis on social welfare and government intervention to address issues in society.

3. According to Louis Althusser, ideology is a set of beliefs that influences a person’s perspective on the world. It’s more than just ideas, it’s a system that influences views and behaviors through institutions. For example, the media is a powerful ideological tool that promotes current social views by influencing views through news, entertainment, and advertising.

1. To me, ideology is a combination of ideas and beliefs that one has about how we think of society in general. I believe that ideology is your point of view about government, economic, public defense, etc. It’s also your perception of others point of view about these topics. For example, if I believe in a society of equality, this  means that this is my ideology about society. Therefore, I believe in an equality system. 

2. In my view, the big difference between the conservative and liberal ideology is in what they believe in. The conservatives believe in the right of private property, therefore, they support a system in which the rich are going to get richer and the poor even more poor. Some concepts that help me to differentiate a conservative person from a liberal one could be: “liberty,” “high taxes.” These concepts come to my mind when I think of conservatives. On the other hand, liberal rely on “equality” and “tax cuts.” 

• High taxes: this is a conservative thought because they support this ideology in order to benefit from it. 
• Liberty: as the first video shows us, conservative believe that a large government is a tent to treat liberty. 
• Equality: the liberal side supports this ideology because to them, equality is what would bring the same opportunity for everyone.
• Taxes cut: by cutting taxes people are going to enjoy more of their income, the rent is going to be less and therefore, everyone is going to be benefited. 

3. He defines ideology as a way to maintain people’s control under a system in which they have to obey certain authority. He uses a few examples to show us how. He used the example of schools saying that in school they were being taught to follow a schedule, obey authority and so on. He also points out the consequences that we may face if we don’t follow these rules. In school, we are more likely to get detention, in life in general, we may get in prison. With that, he defines ideology as a structure and how individuals’ opinions or “choices” are actually not so important.