1. Which statistic on wealth inequality in the US (discussed on p. 29) made the biggest impression on you? Explain why?

The statistic on wealth inequality in the US that is discussed on p. 29 which made the biggest impression on me was the fact that 90 percent of American families have little or no net assets at all. It was surprising because of two main reasons. First, I really thought this number would be much lower since I was under the impression that owning a car, house or having some savings for retirement was something most people have. or at least one they have of those three. Second, I was even more surprised to understand that none of these considered assets if you have loans, debts and mortgages. It is shocking to realize that most of Americans (including myself apparently) don’t have any assets.

2. What could be some of the implications of living in a society that has such huge wealth inequalities? Do you see this dynamic getting played out in everyday life in our society? How so? Example?

The consequences of living in a society that has such huge wealth inequalities are:

1. The wealthy minority gain disproportionate political power which helps them pushing for policies that serves their interests. These policies oftentimes hurt the middle-class majority, who’s voice is disregarded.
   1. Limited social mobility that makes it harder for lower-income people to improve their living conditions.
   1. Unequal access to healthcare, education, and housing.

I do see this happening in the U.S. today. Lobbies, often control by the wealthy, are pushing for policies that favors the wealthy. For example, the NRA, which serves as a firearm lobby, stopping policies that can limit the use of firearms in the US although gun violence (and especially school shotting) has been a major issue in the US.  NRA are using their wealth as political power which is both dangerous and absurd.

Kinder-brand chocolate eggs are banned in the US because they are dangerous to kids. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) deemed them so dangerous, that in 1997 they conducted a recall of these eggs and released a statement calling to “immediately take them away from young children”.

Apparently, US legalizers will ban something that is not banned anywhere else around the globe but at the same time will refuse to limit guns which are limited in most of the world, simply because of the political power wealthy people have over them.

(https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2006/CPSC-Warns-of-Banned-Kinder-Chocolate-Eggs-Containing-Toys-Which-Can-Pose-Choking-Aspiration-Hazards-to-Young-Children)

The M-C-M’ (M-money, C-commodity, M-money) movement of exchange, describes how capitalists transform money into capital (i.e. more money) through the process of production and exchange.

It begins with an initial amount of money, which the capitalist uses to buy commodities, that are then used to create new products (with more potential value than the investment). The capitalist then sells these goods for a higher amount of money (M’ plus m) to make a profit.

The second stage in building wealth, the capitalists turn money into capital by investing is to make more money. To get there, capitalists must also buy the means of production to allow labor power to function and to produce goods that can be sold for more than the cost of production and the initial investment and to create a surplus value (the added work performed by laborers beyond what is needed to produce the products which equivalent to their salary), the capitalist need to acquire 3 things: (1) buildings, tools and equipment, (2) raw materials and other supplies and, (3) labor power. The surplus value is considered profit for the capitalist. The surplus value is then reinvested, allowing the capitalist wealth to increase. This creates a cycle that, if profitable enough, allows the capitalists to keep, maintain and grow their wealth and economical power.

1. What is the distinction that Reading 4.3 makes between owners and employees? Give an example of each.

The distinction between owners and employees in Reading 4.3 is that owners live mostly off investments while employees mostly rely on wages, salaries and fees. Additionally, being part of the “owning class” means that a large part of your income comes from the labor of other people (i.e. employees).

2. How do you understand the quote by Adam Smith on pg. 28? What is it saying about labor?

To my understanding, Smith is saying that the true value of any goods or services come from the amount of labor needed to make it. This labor is what gives those things their “real” value. By saying that, Smith is basically saying that labor is the true source of value and the amount of work that goes into producing something determines its real worth.

3. What are your thoughts on the main argument of Reading 4.4 that class is NOT an identity?

The main point Heideman makes about class is that it is not merely an identity, like race or gender, but rather based on economic power and exploitation. He argues that while liberal discourse often frames class as just another identity category (such as race, gender, sexuality, etc.), this view fails to grasp the unique nature of class as a structural relation between workers and capitalists. I tend to agree with this main point, because I think that by looking at class as an identity alone (as the liberal approach), we can easily overlook how the capitalist system deals with these inequalities. Racial, gender and sexual and religion identity does play a big role in the power distribution in our society. Narrowing it down to just class is, in my opinion, won’t solve any issues we have in our society but rather increase them.

4. How do you understand the argument Reading 4.4. makes when stating that “class structures are built around a close form of dependency”? What is this close form of dependency, and can you think of an example?

The phrase means that different social classes depend on each other, but not equally. This close form of dependency means that one group relies on another but in an unequal way. For example, employees depend on capitalists for jobs and income to make a living, while capitalists depend on workers to make profits for them. Yet, capitalists have more power because they control the wages and working conditions and owning the resources. By that an imbalance between these two classes is created.

1. Repressive State Apparatus includes the government-controlled organizations such as the military, police and the courts, established to set order and control the public by violence or threats for violence. Althusser calls is “repressive” because these institutions, use force or threat of force as a way of repression, to make people follow the rules laws or social values. For example, if someone commits a crime, the police can arrest them, and the court can punish them. I can try and explain his choice of words by claiming that Althusser tried to emphasize the use of force in order to put people in place if they don’t follow the rules. As long as they do, there is no repression. We can argue that “repressive” may sound too aggressive but at is core it is true. We fear (or should fear) the result of our action if they are illegall.
2. according Althusser, Ideological State Apparatuses are establishments and organizations  that help maintain the main ideology in the society and prevent change to the status quo. This includes school, places of worship, family and the media. They work by providing nonviolent and educational access to the mainstream ideology ideas and believes.
3. Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses are different from each other mainly by the way they aim to control the people. State Apparatuses believes in using active force and fear and Ideological Apparatuses uses influence and more behind the scenes, nonviolent ways to promote its ideas. Additionally, the goal of State Apparatuses is to control and keep things in order while ideological Apparatuses tries to convince people and normalize the mainstream ideology.
4. My example is for ideological apparatuses and it is the music video by Taylor Swift for her song “You Have To Calm Down”. https://youtu.be/Dkk9gvTmCXY?si=JxSYWtpQhJRTqcZk. The song, that was released in 2019, and currently has 351 million views, includes a strong statement against the anti-gay culture in America under the Trump administration and aims to rightfully normalize the liberal agenda where everyone deserves equal rights. The title of the song “you have to calm down” together with other lyrics from the song such as “Why are you mad? When you could be GLAAD? (You could be GLAAD) Sunshine on the street at the parade, But you would rather be in the dark ages, Making that sign, must’ve taken all night” encourage people to drop hate and old times ideas and accept gay people as they are. The video includes many mainstream celebrities who are part of the LGBTQ+ along side LGBTQ+ activist and celebrities to show the public that is nothing wrong with being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

1. Ideology is a collection of values, ideas, opinions and beliefs that forms the way a group of people perceive the world, and how they think society should be. Ideology helps it followers shape their views on various important issues such as government, politics, culture, ethical, social and economic issues. Additionally, ideology can guide people how to act to bring the changes they wish to see in these various important issues. The more common types of political Ideologies include liberalism, conservatism, socialism, nationalism and communism, but in my opinion, we shouldn’t narrow it down to just these because some ideologies can be derivatives of another ideology.

For example, the MAGA (Make America Great Again) is an ideology that is a derivative of the conservative Republican Ideology which refers to President Trump supporters. It oftentimes includes extreme right-wing ideas that include policies related to strict immigration control, Conservative Social Values and supporting false news and conspiracy theories mostly in regards to the Democratic party and liberal organizations (https://www.britannica.com/topic/MAGA-movement) .

The January 6 United States Capitol attack demonstrates how far people are willing to go to change what their ideology tells them is wrong. For these MAGA ideology followers, the 2020 elections were stolen, and they must act to protect democracy even in the cost of storming and raiding one of the most important USA democracy institutions. Another examples of how this ideology was used is the anti-trans laws across the U.S. and the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, nominated by President Trump, which later led overturn of Roe v Wade, that protected the right to abortion under Federal Law.

2. In my opinion, the differences between conservative and liberal ideology in US politics is in the way each ideology believe the government and American society should act.

Conservative Ideology focus on limited government, individual freedom and tradition, and include:

•  smaller government that is best handled by states and localities with less regulations so the public will have more freedom to make their own decisions.
• Less intervention in the public life in addition to believing individuals should take responsibility for their own live.
• Lower taxes.
• National security, strong national defense and strong military.
• Traditional family structure.

Liberal Ideology focus on involved government, equality and social change and include:

• Large governments that is active in solving social and economic problems, such as healthcare, education, and income inequality.
• The government should help to provide basic needs to the public, in the form of healthcare, education and unemployment benefits.
• Higher taxes for the rich to support the funding of public and social services.
• Diplomacy over military
• Progressive values and supporting change in social issues, like equal rights, reproductive rights, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental issues.

3. To my understanding, Althusser’s definition of ideology is a set of idea, opinions and believes intuitions (churches, schools, media, governments etc.) are using to shape people views and actions about the world, often without realizing that and even if it’s against their interests. For example, a girl who grow up in a town where majority of the people consider themselves to be conservatives most likely to grow up to be conservative as well because of the ideas, opinions and believes she absorbed in school, by the local government and by her Sunday church sermon. Now, let’s pretend this girl comes as a trans man, starts transitioning in August 2025, and plans to vote for the republican party in the 2024, although he knows about Project 2025 that that it will prevent him rights and access to gender affirming care.