1. a repressive state apparatus (rsa) is a part of the government that enforces rules and laws through force or punishment. althusser calls it “repressive” because it uses violence or the threat of violence to maintain order and keep people following the system. this includes organizations like the police, military, prisons, and courts.example: if people protest against the government, the police may break up the protest or arrest people. this is a way the state controls the population using force.
  2. ideological state apparatuses (isa) are different because they shape people’s beliefs and ideas instead of using force. they work by teaching people what to think and how to behave in ways that support the system. these include schools, churches, media, and family.example: schools teach students to follow rules, work hard, and respect authority. this makes them prepared to enter society and accept the existing system without questioning it too much.
  3. the difference between rsa and isa is that rsa controls people through force, while isa influences people through ideas. rsa includes things like the police and military, which physically stop people from breaking the rules. isa includes things like education and religion, which teach people to accept the rules as normal.
  4. example of ideology: a commercial that tells people that “hard work leads to success” is an example of an ideological state apparatus. it spreads the idea that if you are poor, it is your own fault for not working hard enough, even though many other factors (like government policies or social class) also affect success. this is an example of isa because it is shaping people’s beliefs rather than using force.

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  1. Hi Artur, as you stated repressive state apparatus is the method of a higher power like the government to exercise control over people by the use of threat of their own way of retaliation. It’s a forceful method of influence. On the other hand, ideological state apparatus is a method of indoctrination to set a certain guideline of influence for people to fit into society. It can be said that ideological state apparatus is more convenient to apply since there is no pressure or threat of danger against people to comply. However it depends on what the situation presented is where people must or don’t want to comply based on their circumstances. I think that the most important thing to know and exercise is our free will that sets us free to think and move as we see fit.

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