1 – Repressive state apparatus – a repressive state apparatus is basically a system or institution that uses force, punishment, or fear to make people follow the rules. Example – the police breaking up a protest with tear gas. That’s repression because it physically stops people from acting against the system.

2 – Ideological state apparatus – an ideological state apparatus is softer – it tries to shape how we think and what we believe so that we follow rules without being forced. Example- schools teachings us to be “good citizens” respectful authority.

3 – difference between RSA and ISA – the big difference is how they control people. RSAs use force while ISAs use ideas. one is more physical, the other more mental.

4 – A commercial that shows a perfect happy family eating dinner together and smiling. This is an Ideological State Apparatus at work it promotes the idea that being a good family means buying the product and following that lifestyle.

1. What is a Repressive State Apparatus? Why does Althusser call it “repressive”? Can we explain his choice of words here. Give an example. 

1. The repressive state apparatus is a concept created by Althusser where he believes that the countries institutions and enforcers that are put into place are repressive to a person’s individual purpose. According to Althusser, the state used institutions and systems like prisons, courts and the military to maintain their power through violence and coercion. For example, with institutions like police and military, they supposedly enforce laws, but Althusser sees it like they are enforcing the laws that the people in power want to enforce, and they do this by locking people up and carrying weapons. 

2. Let’s do the same for the Ideological State Apparatuses. What are they, how do they seem to work? 

2.According to Althusser, ISAs are institutions that use ideology rather than use of force and violence, these ideologies are taught in schools, advertisement, churches and through family. By ideology, I believe Althusser means concepts and traditions that are taught to us through these institutions. For example, in schools it may be taught to raise our hands anytime we talk which is something that teaches us obedience. 

3. Important: this question will appear on our exam: How are the Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses different from each other? What is the difference between the two? 

3.RSAs maintain power through force and coercion while ISAs maintain power through shaping your beliefs and norms though ideological belief. ISAs use schools, religions, and family to push the ideas and norms that are internalized. RSAs use the police force, military, prisons and courts to exert power. Both of these are their different methods of establishing order. 

4. Post an example of ideology. This could be a piece of writing, an image, video, pdf document, visual art, or music, clip from a movie. Next to your example, specify if this is an example of repressive or ideological apparatuses at work. I’ll start off by giving an example. 

4.This picture of the bodybuilder is an example of ideological apparatuses because ISAs uses media to push their concepts and ideas, and the picture of the bodybuilder can make men think that that’s what they have to look like because that’s what advertisement pushed. 

1. Repressive State Apparatus (RSA)

A Repressive State Apparatus is basically the part of society that keeps people in line through force or punishment. Althusser calls it “repressive” because it doesn’t try to change your mind it just makes you obey. One example would be During the Civil Rights Movement, police often responded by attacking or arresting peaceful protesters. That wasn’t about convincing them their cause was wrong, it was about scaring them into stopping. That’s the RSA working to protect the system and those in power to get society to comply.

2. Ideological State Apparatus (ISA)

An Ideological State Apparatus is different because it controls people through ideas, not violence. It makes certain values and beliefs seem normal so that people accept the system without really questioning it. Sort of like tricking them into thinking it’s their own idea. Social Media is a good example. A lot of “influencers” or Artist make rich lifestyles look glamorous, while struggles of poor or working class people hardly ever get shown. That teaches people to admire wealth and think being rich is the ultimate goal, which supports the way life is seen today.

3. Difference Between RSAs and ISAs

• RSAs = force (like police or prisons).
• ISAs = ideas (like schools, religion, or media).

So the main difference in the two are the way they keep control. RSAs control our bodies, while ISAs control our minds. Both help keep society running the way it is, but one uses violence or punishment, and the other uses beliefs and values.

4. Example of Ideology

One example of ideology is religion. This makes people accept the way society is being organized as God’s will.

This is an Ideological Apparatus because it works through beliefs and values, not force.

1. A RSA (Repressive State Apparatus)iS any institution that maintain order through coercion. Althusser calls it repressive because it uses violence, threats, or direct control to keep people in line with the states interests. For example police, military, prisons, and the court system. For instance, when police arrest protesters, that’s an RSA in action.

2. An ideological state apparatus is an institution that spreads beliefs, values, and norms to make people “voluntarily” accept the states system. They don’t use force directly but instead shape how people think so they “consent” to authority. For example, They work by teaching vaules that make people fit in society without needing constant force. Schools, media, religion, and family.

3. RSA- CONTROLS PEOPLE MAINLY THROUGH Force and coercion, ISA- THROUGH Ideas and beliefs.

4. Example of an ISA: Public schools teaching students to stand and recite the pledge of allegiance.

Example of an RSA: A government sending police to break up a strike.

1. A Repressive State Apparatus is a way to rule people over fear. It is a tool of the government in which they enforce social control through violence. They may use police institutions, the military, and prisons in order to enforce social control. The fear of being punished is what keeps people under control. Althusser calls it “repressive” because this violence forces a limit on critical thinking for individuals and this apparatus serves to maintain a dominant power.

2. Ideological State Apparatuses are shaped to make people willingly conform to social order. It does not use fear, it uses education, media and family life in order to enforce social status and ideas. Ideological State Apparatuses work by putting students in civic courses in school where they learn about political views like liberty and equality. From that point individuals will take a standpoint whether they are liberal or conservative. Therefore individuals learn how to shape their own beliefs on how they will conform to social order.

3. Repressive and Ideological State apparatuses are different from each other because repressive state apparatuses are forced upon the individual and ideological state apparatuses allow individuals to willingly conform to society. This is because Repressive State Apparatuses act on violence and fear, they want to punish individuals for not following the social order a certain way. On the other hand, Ideological State Apparatuses allow individuals to have their own ideas and make their own decisions. This is a freedom that is not available when a nation is ruled with repressive actions. Repressive State Apparatuses can be mostly seen in communist states, or under a unified government. Ideological State Apparatuses can be mostly seen as multiple parties, usually diverse and different from one and other. ISA’s are usually a more fair society than RSA’s.

4. This image represents an example of an ideological apparatus, it shows a classroom where students are taught to be obedient. Which is an ideology of discipline. 

1. A Repressive State Apparatus is the part of society that uses force or the threat of force to keep order and protect those in power. Althusser calls it “repressive” because it relies on punishment or violence, not persuasion, to get people to follow the rules. It doesn’t try to win you over it forces you. For example, think of the police or court system. If someone breaks the law, the police can arrest them and the courts can lock them up. That’s the state keeping control through repression.
2. Ideological State Apparatus work in a much subtler way. Instead of using force, they make us accept certain ideas as “normal” so that we go along with the system without needing to be threatened. For example, school is a good one. Sure, we learn math and writing, but we also learn to show up on time, listen to authority, compete with each other, and prepare ourselves for the workplace. The system doesn’t have to force us, it trains us to fit in by shaping our ideas and habits.
3. The big difference is how they keep society in line. RSA is control through force (police, courts, army). ISA is control through ideas and beliefs (schools, religion, media, family). RSAs make you obey whether you want to or not, while ISAs get you to obey because you’ve been taught to believe it’s right or natural thing to do. Together, they make sure society keeps running the way it does.
4. Example: An advertisement for the American Dream – a happy family in front of a house with a white picket fence, smiling parents, kids, and maybe a new car in a driveway.

Type: Ideological State Apparatus. This isn’t forcing anyone with violence or punishment. Instead, it promotes an idea, that success and happiness come from home ownership, family stability, and consumer goods. By spreading this “dream”, people internalize certain values (work hard, buy a house, raise a family) and willingly shape their lives around them. That’s ideology at work.

1) Repressive State Apparatus was created by Louis Althusser, it is institutions that function through repression and violence to keep the dominance of the ruling class. Repressive State Apparatuses function using physical force. Althusser calls it “repressive” because its main mode of operation is repression. The police is an example of repressive State Apparatus because they use physical force, and arrest methods to enforce the law.

2) Ideology state Apparatuses are institutions that function through ideology to keep state power. they use dominant ideologies from a young age. an example of Ideology state apparatuses is the education system.

3) Repressive state apparatus and Ideology state apparatus are different because repressive State apparatus focuses on using physical force to enforce the law and ideology state apparatus focuses on using ideology to enforce the law like teaching from a young age.

4) https://youtu.be/vPKp29Luryc?si=1gDxrboTCK9AIT9p

The national Anthem is an example of Ideology state apparatus because it reinforce a sense of national identity, patriotism, and shared values to citizens, not just our national anthem but every countries national anthem is an example of Ideology of state apparatus.

Title: Discussion Board 3.2

1. What is a Repressive State Apparatus?
A Repressive State Apparatus (RSA) is a system that uses force or punishment to control people. Althusser calls it “repressive” because it works through violence, fear, or pressure. Examples are the police, prisons, or the army. For example, when police arrest protesters, that is an RSA.

2. What is an Ideological State Apparatus?
An Ideological State Apparatus (ISA) is different because it works through ideas instead of force. ISAs teach people what to believe and what is “normal.” Examples are schools, churches, families, and the media. For example, schools teach discipline and respect for rules, which prepares people to follow authority later in life.

3. How are RSA and ISA different?
The difference is simple: RSA controls people with force, while ISA controls people with ideas. Both support the system, but they work in different ways.

4. Example of ideology
An example of ideology is the belief that “hard work always leads to success.” This is an ISA because it makes people believe the system is fair, even though not everyone has the same chances.

1. A Repressive State Apparatus is meant to control behavior through acts of fear. Such acts could be through violence, threats, etc. through police, courts, and/or prison. The reason it is considered repressive is due to the fact that using fear as a motivator restricts peoples freedom. Not only is it not an effective long-term solution, but encourages people to behave for the wrong reason.

2. Ideology State Apparatus aims to control behavior without enforcement. This can be done through education, mass media, and politics. The main objective is to make people feel they have a choice in the matter.

3. The main difference between an Ideology State Apparatus and a Repressive State Apparatus is their motivators. A Repressive State Apparatus approaches with aggression, violence, and fear to motivate the desired behavior. On the other hand, an Ideology State Apparatus uses freedom, beliefs, and choice as a motivator to encourage the desired behavior.

4. An example of Ideology is journalism. Take photo journalism that reports on ongoing wars. You can tell what one’s ideology may be through the message they are trying to spread through the photos they are taking. This is a form of Ideology State Apparatus because it aims to tug at your heart strings, and make you feel empathetic without being forceful in its approach.

1. What is a Repressive State Apparatus? Why does Althusser call it “repressive”? Can we explain his choice of words here? Give an example.
   • A. Repressive State Apparatus is when the state uses fear to control people. An example of this can be the state using law enforcement to patrol the streets, a lack of opportunity for someone who disagrees with the state, or isolating someone from their community.
2. Let’s do the same for the Ideological State Apparatuses. What are they, and how do they seem to work?
   • Ideological State Apparatuses are when the state uses education to create an obedient worker, someone who may not question authority and completes what they are assigned without question.
3. How are the Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses different from each other? What is the difference between the two?
   • Repressive uses fear and physical violence to control people, while Ideological uses things like education and entertainment to control people.
4. Post an example of ideology. This could be a piece of writing, an image, video, pdf document, visual art, or music, clip from a movie. Next to your example, specify if this is an example of repressive or ideological apparatuses at work.
   • A.

This WWII ration poster is an example of ideological apparatues. It shows that through your rationing for the wartime effort, soldiers will have enough to live on overseas. The government is showing you it is necessary to ration for the war effort.