So, we’ve encountered three different overviews of what ideology is, but let’s organize our own thinking about it. In this discussion board, think about and comment on the following questions:
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.
2. How do you understand the difference between conservative and liberal ideology in US politics? What seem to be the big differences, the dividing line? Given an example to backup your arguments.
Hint: try to identify key words (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.
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.
Hint: Remember, the discussion boards are crucial for us this semester, because they reproduce our in-class conversations. Try to be thorough and write more, rather than less. I will do the same, and make sure by the time we end our discussion, we have covered the key ideas on the module.
To organize things better, I have broken up our conversation into two parts. After finishing here, head over to Discussion Board 3 – part 2 .
Before posting, watch this video, which will show you how to post your answer to this discussion board:
NOTE: Once you’ve scheduled your post to be published on at midnight on Sunday, you can still go back and edit your post until then, if you want to rewrite and/or add to your post.
As a review, follow the following steps to submit your response:
- Click on the “+” button in the black bar at the top of the screen
- Type a title for the post (it should include your full name)
- Type your response
- On the right side, click on Categories: and check “Discussion 3.1”
- Important: On the right side, at the top: click on the date next to Publish, and enter your post date, which is this coming Sunday, at 11:59pm.
- Click Publish and you’re done.
What will happen next is your post will automatically be published by the OpenLab system on Sunday at midnight. The goal here is for all student posts to be published at the same deadline. After that point, you can begin reading each others’ posts, and you have to comment on at least one other student’s post.
Note: please make sure that you schedule your post to be published on Sunday, midnight, not before.
1. (a) In my view, ideology is a set of beliefs and values that guide individuals and political groups in understanding government, society, and the role of institutions. Political ideologies shape perspectives on issues such as the size and role of government, individual freedoms, economic policies, and social values. In the U.S., the two dominant political ideologies are liberalism, which tends to support government intervention in social and economic matters, and conservatism, which typically advocates for limited government, free markets, and traditional social values. Ideology influences political behaviour, party affiliation, and policy preferences in American politics.
(b) An example of ideology in American politics can be seen in the debate over healthcare. Those with a liberal ideology often support government-provided or regulated healthcare, like the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), believing that access to healthcare is a right and that the government should ensure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to medical services. They argue that government intervention is necessary to address inequalities and protect public welfare. On the other hand, individuals with a conservative ideology typically favour a free-market approach to healthcare. They argue that government involvement leads to inefficiency and higher costs, and believe that private companies and competition should drive the healthcare system. Conservatives often advocate for policies that reduce government regulation and give individuals more control over their healthcare choices.
(c) Ideology is a way people see and understand the world, shaping how they think about government, society, and the economy. It provides a set of ideas and beliefs that influence how people feel about important issues like justice, freedom, equality, and power. Ideologies are not just abstract ideas but personal beliefs that guide how people vote, participate in politics, and interact with others. For example, someone who strongly believes in individualism might focus on personal responsibility and prefer less government involvement, while someone who values community well-being might support a larger government role to help people. Ideologies can change over time due to shifts in culture, economics, or history. They also exist on a spectrum, meaning people might not fit perfectly into one ideological category and can hold a mix of beliefs. For instance, a person may support conservative economic policies but have liberal views on social issues. Understanding ideology helps explain why people have different political opinions and actions, as it reflects their values and what they believe is best for society.
2. The main difference between conservatives and liberals is how they view the role of government, personal freedom, and social issues. Conservatives generally believe in a smaller government, free markets, and personal responsibility. They think the government should do less in regulating businesses and running social programs, focusing instead on individual effort and self-reliance. Conservatives also tend to support traditional values and are cautious about making big changes to social norms. They often prioritise things like national security and maintaining existing systems. Liberals, on the other hand, believe the government should play a bigger role in solving social and economic problems. They think the government should provide services like healthcare, education, and welfare to ensure everyone has equal opportunities. Liberals usually support policies that promote individual rights, diversity, and inclusion, often pushing for changes in areas like LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and environmental protection. A good example of this difference is the debate on taxes and social programs. Conservatives typically want lower taxes and less government spending, believing people and businesses should have more control over their money, which they think will help the economy grow. Liberals, however, often support higher taxes on the wealthy to fund social programs like Medicare and unemployment benefits to help those in need. This shows how the two sides differ in their views on how much the government should get involved in people’s lives and the economy. In short, the big difference between conservatives and liberals is about the size of the government, with conservatives wanting less intervention and liberals wanting more to help with social issues and equality.
3. Althusser’s definition of ideology can be understood as a system of ideas and beliefs that shape how people view themselves and their place in the world, often without them realising it. According to Althusser, ideology works by creating a sense of identity and belonging, and it operates through institutions like schools, churches, and the media to reinforce certain beliefs. Importantly, he argues that ideology doesn’t just exist in people’s minds but is deeply embedded in practices and rituals that people participate in, which then helps maintain the existing power structures in society. An example of this would be the way education works. Schools teach students not only academic knowledge but also certain values, like respect for authority, the importance of hard work, and following rules. This helps students develop an identity that fits within society’s expectations, making them more likely to accept and function within the current social system without questioning it. Thus, education serves as a tool through which ideology is reinforced, keeping people aligned with the existing power structure.
1. (a) In my opinion, ideology is a set of beliefs and values that guides individuals make their decisions. It forms basis opinions on political, economic and the social system that influence attitudes and behaviors.
(b) One example of ideology in American politics is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is a prime example of conservative ideology because it totally revamped the American tax code with the goal of boosting company competitiveness and economic growth. The Act, which dramatically lowers the corporation tax rate from 35% to 21%, is a reflection of the conservative view that tax cuts may encourage investment and employment growth. The idea that reduced taxes will increase consumer spending and economic activity is further embodied by the reduction of individual income tax rates and the increase of the standard deduction. Furthermore, the Act’s provision allowing corporate investments to be immediately expensed is consistent with the conservative focus on promoting economic growth through deregulation and less government involvement.
(c) Ideology, in my opinion, is a comprehensive framework of beliefs and values that help individuals or groups comprehend and interact with the world. It provides a thorough understanding on which people will understand social, political, and economic issues, influencing their attitudes and behaviors. Ideologies offer a solid understanding of complex issues, it is presenting justifications that aligns with their core principles. For example, political ideology such as conservatism presents different points of views on the government roles and personal freedoms.
2. In U.S. politics, conservative and liberal ideologies often represent opposing perspectives on the role of government, individual rights, and social issues, reflecting broader debates about how society should be organized and governed.In general, conservatives support free markets, less government, and individual accountability. They believe that the government should put more of its energy into encouraging individual initiative and self-reliance rather than controlling enterprises and social initiatives. Conservatives also support conventional values and are hesitant to significantly alter societal .They frequently give national security and upkeep of current systems top priority. In the US, liberal ideology is a political and social theory that supports government action and intervention in resolving social and economic problems, advancing individual liberties, and guaranteeing greater fairness in society. They believe that in order to guarantee that everyone has equal opportunity, the government should offer resources like health care, schooling, and to ensure that everyone receive the same equal rights and opportunity. The size of the federal government is in essence, the main point of contention between conservatives and liberals; the former desire less involvement and the latter more assistance with social issues and equality.
3. Althusser’s definition of ideology is a set of concepts and convictions that, frequently unconsciously, influence a person’s self-perception and worldview. According to Althusser, ideology is a set of concepts and viewpoints that, frequently unconsciously, influence how individuals see themselves and their role in the world. Ideology, in Althusser’s view, reinforces particular views by forging a sense of identity and belonging through organizations like the media, churches, and educational institutions.