Veronica Gonzalez

POL 100 (0504) – Intro. to American Govt. – Fall 2022

Discussion Board 3.2

Q1. A Repressive State Apparatus is defined as methods the government uses, such as police, courts and prisons, that are meant to keep society from not following the established rules and behaviors that can cause rebellion in such a way that can cause chaos and destabilize the government. Althusser calls this apparatus repressive because it is meant to do exactly just that, which is to repress (restrain or inhibit the freedoms) of individuals. A Repressive State Apparatus aims to go deeper than just to restrain or inhibit the physical actions of a person but also to restrain and inhibit the mere thought of rebelling so that the person doesn’t even dare think of going against the status quo or established rules and behaviors. Althusser presents as an example the different consequences when a child doesn’t follow rules in school. When a student misbehaves or does not follow the established rules of the school/classroom, depending on the severity of their misbehavior, they can be put in detention, their parents are called in to meet with the principle, they are not allowed to on a school field trip or are not allowed to participate in classroom activities. Imposing these sanctions on the student is a form of restricting their freedoms, in other words these sanctions can be seen as repressive in nature.

Q2. An Ideological State Apparatus is defined as methods the government uses such as schools, churches, peers and family to enforce the message that established rules and behaviors that exist need to be followed in order for society to function correctly and not fall apart. 

Q3. The Repressive and Ideological State apparatus are different from each other in that each one uses different methods to enforce their main goal(s). In the RSA, the methods to enforce control can be seen as being more confrontational and even violent. Repressive State Apparatus use violence or the appearance of violence to keep members of society from breaking the rules. Police officers when confronted with an individual committing a crime will pursue and use methods of restraint in order to apprehend the individual. Courts will impose punishment for the crime that was committed while prisons (jails) will be the place where the punishment will be served. Prisons themselves have rules that each inmate has to follow and these restrict an individual’s freedoms severely. The Ideological State Apparatus uses methods that are less restrictive yet produce the same effect that RSA does. In the ISA it is more about using the school system, peers, family unit and media to inform and enforce those rules of society and behaviors that need to be followed. With ISA, there is a conforming of the person to the rules and behaviors because not doing so touches upon our fears of being judged by others, being excluded and shamed.

Q3a. The main difference between the Repressive State Apparatus and the Ideological State Apparatus is that the Repressive State Apparatus is more direct and confrontational in enforcing rules and behavior that should be followed whereas the Ideological State Apparatus uses a more indirect and not as or less confrontational method to enforce those same rules and behaviors. RSA will use police, courts, prisons to control and enforce whereas ISA will use schools, peers, media, sports clubs to enforce the same rules and behaviors as those of a RSA .   

Q4. The following link is an example of Ideology in media ads.

In my opinion, this AD video is Ideological yet it has Repressive undertones.

1. What is a Repressive State Apparatus? Why does Althusser call it “repressive”? 

It’s the best way to describe what is authority, that will keep the rules in check. Also, he states it as repressive since it’s much more harsh how the military and police can go about things when trying to keep order if and when any rules are considered to be broken. They bring fear into you by reminding you that if you do something wrong you will be severely disciplined. 

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

Ideological State Apparatuses, is pretty much what would be school, the media and politics. Pretty much, in them telling you that you have a choice in voting for the next president or any other political party. The media with distracting you and making you believe you have a choice as well between something minority important instead of actual current important events. School, by making you follow obedience and a schedule.

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?

Although, they are very similar since they both come with trying to keep everyone in line and to be obedient. The difference is Repressive would be the more severe punishment as Ideological is just more of a less and minor punishment. Examples. Repressive would be jail time and Ideological would be detention.

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 us of off by giving an example.

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

Military services, police, the court branch, and the jail system make up the repressive state apparatus. Since he believes that violence is how they operate, he labels it as repressive.

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

 They work by using methods other than physical violence to achieve the same objectives as RSA. SO they are basically the Non violent ? ideology version of the RSA so this is things like churches, sports clubs, schools etc.

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?

The “repressive state apparatus” refers to the institutions and tools used by the government to physically coerce and subjugate its citizens. The military, law enforcement, and prisons are included in this. The “ideological state apparatus” refers to the institutions and machinery used by the government to monitor citizens’ ideologies. While the ideological state apparatus subjugates its citizens through the use of ideas and beliefs, the repressive state apparatus does so through the use of physical force. The repressive state infrastructure has a greater immediate impact, but it is less effective over time because people will eventually become enraged and rebel against using force.

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.

One of the best examples of the ideological state apparatus in action is the educational system. The educational system is ultimately more effective because of its capacity to change people’s ideas and beliefs, which in turn affect their behavior. It works better when the oppressive state apparatus is combined with the educational system. The educational system is ultimately more effective because of its capacity to change people’s ideas and beliefs, which in turn affect their behavior. It works better when the oppressive state apparatus is combined with the educational system. While the state’s oppressive apparatus can be used to stifle dissent and opposition, the educational system can be used to control and shape people’s minds and worldviews.

Okay, let ‘s go to the questions, consider the following:

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

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

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?

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 us of off by giving an example.

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