1. Repressive State Apparatus (RSA):
An RSA is a state apparatus of repression seeking to repel forces or impose order on disobedient or untamed subjects. Althusser refers to it as “repressive” because it relies on force, even on killing or serious bodily harm, to keep people in line with laws and rules; thus, RSA entails direct uses of physical power or violence. Police, military, courts, and prisons fall under the category of RSAs; they implement and subsequently apply rules against those who contravene the law, often through brute force or legal sanctions.
Example: The arresting of a lawbreaker by police is straightforward RSA. The police use force on behalf of their laws.
2. Ideological State Apparatus (ISA):
The ISA refers to institutions that inculcate values and beliefs in people without direct coercion. They do so by implanting an ideal system that holds that the current social order is normal and natural. ISA includes schools, the media, the church, and the family. They tell us what is right and wrong and model our behavior, which, most of the time, leads us to conform to the establishment without physical coercion.
Example: In schools, children would be taught to Respect Authority and Obey Rules – a kind of ISA being put to work. Schools shape ideas about what acceptable behavior is in society.
3. Difference Between Repressive and Ideological State Apparatus:
The difference is that repressive state apparatuses (RSA) tend to apply force and violence to control individuals (police and military), whereas ideological state apparatuses (ISA) tend to control the same individuals without the use of force (schools and media). RSA is activated when the law is broken and punishes the offender; ISA works roughly by forming people’s minds to keep maintaining the status quo.
4. 4. Example of Ideology:
Example: An ad that sells a luxury item, like an extremely expensive car, that will make you successful and happy. This would be an example of an ideological
The apparatus at work influences peoples’ belief in success and happiness without violence, making people think that a good life has to be attained with the products.
