1.What is a Repressive State Apparatus? Why does Althusser call it “repressive”? Can we explain his choice of words here. Give an example.  

Repressive state apparatus are a collection of state controlled institutions that use force or threats of force to maintain order and enforce the rule of law, control us through the threat of violence. For example courts, prisons, police precincts, cops judges are all examples.

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

Ideological State apparatus are institutions that prevent change to the status quo by indoctrinating us by priming and distraction. For example Schools, politics, and mass media. Their purpose to keep us in line with giving us the illusion we have a choice in order to settle our revolutionary impulses.

3. Important: this question will appear on our exam: How are the Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses different from each other? What is the difference between the two?

The difference in the two are the techniques they use to control the masses. While repressive state apparatus is ruling by threat of consequence like use of physical force, incarceration and obvious to its function and purpose, Ideological state apparatus is more covert, it’s like subliminal mind control that we aren’t consciously aware is even happening.  

4. Post an example of ideology. This could be a piece of writing, an image, video, pdf document, visual art, or music, clip from a movie. Next to your example, specify if this is an example of repressive or ideological apparatuses at work.

Ideological apparatus