Althusser describes a repressive state apparatus as any organization that uses the threat of violence to control behavior, such as the police or the courts. It is called repressive because it restricts people’s physical freedom. When other forms of social control are ineffective at keeping people “in their place,” the repressive apparatus takes over as a backup. Martial Law could be an example of how the state may use repressive measures to maintain authority.
Ideological State Apparatuses are institutions like schools, politics, and mass media that work to keep social control by preventing changes to the status quo. Places like schools are a good example, you are taught to obey a strictly set schedule in school, which includes seven or eight hours of instruction with an hour of free time. You learn to respect authority, obey, share your pencils, clean up after yourself, not speak out of turn, and raise your hand if you want to speak.
Isa influences people through ideas, whereas RSA uses force to control them. To enforce the law and stop opposing views, RSAs like the military and law enforcement use repression and force. They operate in a physical and open manner. ISAs, on the other hand, such as media outlets and educational institutions, have power by influencing ideologies, values, and beliefs. They use deeper strategies, focused on influencing consent and guaranteeing compliance instead of force
The pledge of allegiance is an example of ideology “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Its an ISA, it shapes opinions on freedom, unity, and the legitimacy of the state, quietly growing nationalism as the present ideology. It promotes loyalty and consent, it uses repetition and persuasion. Every morning, it is recited in the majority of schools, encouraging in children to have a sense of patriotism and national loyalty.
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Hey Myeesha, I really appreciated your discussion! It was super helpful and you answered my questions directly, which I needed. If you have some time, I would love for you to check out my discussion and share your thoughts on it.
Hey Myeesha, I really appreciated your discussion! It was super helpful and you answered my questions directly, which I needed. If you have some time, I would love for you to check out my discussion and share your thoughts on it.