1. In my own words, the means of production are otherwise known as they key components that make up a single product. For example, if I were to boil 2 eggs, I would need a pot and some boiling water to then produce a boiled egg. On the other hand, Labor is simply the measurement of time along with manpower or service needed to push production. One example would be a pilot flying a plane. A plane is unable to fly on its own so in order for an airport to remain in service, it must have pilots to keep means of production.
2. Based on video 5.1, value is the amount of labour anything is needed to be produced under normal circumstances. This is what gives value its “value”. Therefore, what makes something more valuable than something else is through the difference in measurement of labor.
3. Labor and value are in direct correlation with each other. This is due to the fact that value is determined by the amount of labor that is being utilized. Something will be low in value if there isn’t too much labor being utilized and if it his high in value there will be a high amount of labor being utilized.
4. The difference between labor and labor power is that labor power is that labor power is defined by what it takes to produce the overall action of labor. For example in order to produce labor, one must be able to have food, clothes, and a shelter.
5. Surplus value is the excess value that workers create that is worth more than their own wages. This excess value is profit for the capitalist in charge. It is in important to know about in the study of social classes because it serves as a gateway of exploitation of workers.

1. The distinction that Reading 4.3 makes between owners and employees is that owners are a member of the “owning class” due to their income being large. On the other hand, employees are under a salary and are more often than not paid less than the value that they create for more profit. For example, if a fast-food worker is paid $15 dollars an hour.
2. Simply put, on page 28, Adam Smith is emphasizing the great weight and value that labor holds over the social class. Therefore, without labor there wouldn’t be an overarching system in place that dictates the overall cashflow of society but also a system in place where there are capitalists and the working class.
3. My thoughts from Reading 4.4 that class is not an identity are that social classes are not an identity but rather a status. This is because an individuals status is determined by the amount of wealth that they possess or the place that they may be in within the hierarchy such as the working class as an example. Rather, identities are racial and gender based at its core.
4. My biggest takeaway from Reading 4.4 on class structures being built around a close form of dependency is that capitalists around the country would not exist without the working class. It is because of the working class that the upper class are able to obtain wealth through profit which therefore forms an element of dependency. One prime example would be if a landlord owns an apartment building and suddenly everyone stops paying rent, then there would be no stream of income/profit. This would then lead to the downfall of the entire establishment that the landlord has built.

1. In the readings 4.1 and 4.2, the concept of social class in both passages are noted differently. In 4.1, social classes are described and categorized into individualized household incomes. With the lower class being categorized at $0-$19k while the upper class at $250k and up. On the other hand in 4.2, social class is described through how capitalists are inherit their wealth which is through property income, rents, stocks, etc.
2. According to the station nearest to where I live, the majority of the social class that tends to live in my neighborhood is without a doubt the working class. I am not surprised by the answer as in my neighborhood I constantly see many individuals in the morning on their way to work, usually with dress code representing big famous corporations.
3. In reading 4.2, a general pattern that I picked up on was that stations located in the lower manhattan consisted of individuals in the upper class.

1.

A repressive state apparatus as mentioned by Althusser is the culmination of the entire prison system which would also include the police, the army and the judiciary. Althusser calls it repressive due to the fact that state apparatus functions on the fear of consequence by the law which is enforced through mental or physical threat.

2.

Contrary to a repressive state apparatus, an ideological state apparatus completely operates in a different way. Aside from violence, it is much rather believed to use sources such as educational institutions, sports clubs or even churches. It aims to have a much more civilized approach and not as repressive.

3.

Repressive and ideological state apparatus’ are different from one another. Repressive is based upon using the idea of violence and fear to bring order. An ideological state apparatus on the other hand relies on further developing it’s civilians through general resources or activities that may aid them in any way.

4

1.

In the world of politics, an ideology consists of a primary belief that specific groups of people decide to be a part of. In the US these ideologies are categorized into three groups, rightists, centrists, and leftists. All of these groups have different beliefs that define who they are as individual groups. Rightists tend to have conservative beliefs while leftists have liberal beliefs. On the other hand a centrist have a moderate political views meaning that might be open to both ideologies to a certain capacity.

One example that illustrates my thoughts on ideology is that conservatives or rightists focus a lot on having harsher policies when it comes to laws. For example, rightists are pro-life meaning that an abortion would not be allowed after a specific amount of time has passed while a woman is carrying life. However, leftists are pro-choice and support those who are pregnant, to have the option of having an abortion if they choose to do so.

An Ideology is nothing but the simple concept of having a belief system in place that may or may not divide people into different groups due to their perception of an idea. These beliefs make society what it is. It sets a culture and a standard towards what laws are in place. Additionally, without ideologies there would be no political system in place at all.

2.

In the united states there are major key differences regarding ideologies between the conservative party and the liberal party. Conservatives are a much more serious group due to the fact that they rely specifically on their moral beliefs in regards to principles individuals must live up to. Liberals however, are less concerned with the values of conservatives and focus on the economy of the country. They are also more democratic while the conservatives are on the republican side.

3.

Althusser’s definition of an ideology couldn’t be more spot on. He believes that an ideology is the representation of individuals and their condition or way of living. Althusser also said that an ideology will always exist as an apparatus, meaning that an ideology isn’t just a concept but rather a structure in itself that would be eternal. Ideologies are the life and blood of a society as it deeply embedded in how laws and social standards come into place.