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 citizens of a government follow authority due to fear of violence or punishment. Althusser uses the word “repressive” to describe this state because it is to signify the restraint of freedom both physical and mental. Inhabits do not protest, speak their mind or exercise their free will because there isn’t any. This state would be most fittingly understood under a fascist regime. In Nazi Germany, those associating with or helping Jews would receive severe punishment which included death. However, a repressive state does not only apply to fascist rule.

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

In Ideological State Apparatuses there are about four state apparatuses that contribute to keeping the status quo in Capitalist Ideology. The first is the Democratic Apparatus, citizens have the right to vote and contribute to their representatives in government. The second is the Consumer Apparatus, people are given the “illusion of choice”, multiple stores that sell about the same product in a slightly different version but the customer choices which aesthetic they’d like to follow. The third is Entertainment Apparatus which plastic pills best described as “artificial allegiance that divides you from class allegiance”. The Entertainment Apparatus gives you a sense of belonging to a specific sport, music genre, or film genre and that can keep the majority of people in control to not rebel against the status quo of a capitalist society. The last and most vital apparatus is the School Apparatus as Althusser puts it “No other ideological state apparatus has the obligatory audience…of the children”. The School Apparatus demonstrates to children a version of what a capitalist society entails. The teacher is the authority figure that needs to be followed and respected, even if they are not good. Detention, suspension, and bad grades are the different forms of punishment for misbehaved children who go against their authority figures. All of these apparatuses keep the people in a capitalist system from rebelling against the status quo.

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

Repressive State Apparatus and Ideological State Apparatus have two different functions to maintain the status quo in a system or society. The Repressive State Apparatus relies on fear and punishment as a means to keep control of the people. Ideological State Apparatus relies on different apparatuses that are a form of distraction, the illusion of choice, or a smaller version of society. Ideological State Apparatus is more useful in a capitalist society because the target is the lower and middle classes. In the Ideological State different apparatuses are present to maintain the status quo and keep the majority from questioning those in power or worrying about the actions of their government. Repressive State Apparatus is present in a capitalist society but it is not the most useful due to how much power those in the upper class and government have. It is more useful in a fascist state because the government is the one who has full control and the only alternative to rebelling is punishment, which people fear.

4. Post an example of ideology, specify if this is an example of repressive or ideological apparatuses at work.

This is a notice from the S.S police warning the consequences of aiding Jews. The poster reads:

“Announcement

Death Penalty for Aid to Jews who have left the Jewish residential areas without permission

Recently, many Jews have left their designated Jewish residential areas. For the time, they are in the Warsaw District.

I remind you that according to the Third Decree of the General Governor’s concerning the residential restrictions in the General Government of 10/15/1941… not only Jews who have left their designated residential area will be punished with death, but the same penalty applies to anyone who knowingly provides refuge to such Jews. This includes not only the providing of a night’s lodging and food but also any other aid, such as transporting them in vehicles of any sort, through the purchase of Jewish valuables, etc.

I ask the population of the Warsaw District to immediately report any Jew who resides outside of a Jewish residential area to the nearest police station or gendarmerie post.

Whoever provided or currently provides aid to a Jew will not be prosecuted if it is reported to the nearest police station by 4 pm on 9/9/42.

Likewise, those who deliver valuables acquired from a Jew to 20 Niska Street or the nearest police or gendarme post by 4 pm on 9/9/42 will not be prosecuted.

The SS- and Police Leader in the Warsaw District

Warsaw, September 5, 1942″

This is a key representation of a Repressive State Apparatus.

The S.S police who controlled Nazi Germany sent a notice to all Germans informing the consequences and cruel punishment that would result in the aiding of Jews and rebelling against government orders.