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

Repressive State Apparatus is controlling an individual through the threat of violence such as police, courts, and prisons. Althusser calls it “repressive” because the state has the power force you to physically behave. This also gives them power of control over the state.

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

Ideological State Apparatuses encourages individiuals how to behave by being influenced from the media, religious groups, family, and education. They chose not to follow through with violence unlike Repressive State Apparatus.

How are Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses different from each other? What is the difference between the two?

The difference between Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses are one uses force as a primary choice versus one uses violence as a secondary choice. He questions upon why individuals continue to obey laws and not rebel against them.

An example of repressive state apparatuses: