A Repressive State Apparatus is the control through the use of violence. He calls it repressive because through the actions taken an individuals freedom will be restrained. For example lighting a fire in a grocery store would be dealt with Repressive State Apparatus. That individual did something deemed wrong and dangerous to society so now will be punished by the judicial system ultimately going to jail and losing their freedom.
Ideological State Apparatuses are schools, politics and the mass media. They are used to prevent change to the ideology. Politics work by giving an individual a choice when in reality the choices they have are still both under the same ideology. The mass media works by offering indistinguishable choices again giving an individual the perspective of choice and freedom but the choices are all relatively the same. Mass media also causes individuals to gravity towards niche interest instead of focusing on the interest of the society they live in. For example an individual who has a favorite tv show will bond with other’s over that favorite tv show instead of spending their time fighting for equality. Lastly, schools from the very beginning of someone’s life begin to install discipline. Discipline keeps individuals in order and prevents them from trying to over throw or change the current ideology.
The difference between Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses is that Repressive State Apparatuses use fear and violence while Ideological State Apparatuses use manipulation and a sense of contributing to ones society. One is very in your face and the other is implemented sublimely by ones surroundings.
This picture is a example of a Ideological State Apparatuses. It is instilling into society that women need saving by men through the media. Indicating that a women should stay in her role and rely on a man.
