1. The Repressive State Apparatus consists of institutions like the police, military, and courts that maintain social order through force or the threat of force. Althusser calls it “repressive” because these institutions enforce compliance directly, often through violence or coercion if necessary. Their role is to protect the ruling class by controlling behavior and suppressing the urge to rebel. For instance, when police break up protests or arrest activists, this is an example of the Repressive State Apparatus maintaining social stability by using physical power. Repressive State Apparatuses serve as visible and direct forms of control compared to more subtle ways that influence social behavior and thought.
  2. Ideological State Apparatuses are institutions like schools, media, religion, and cultural organizations that influence people’s thoughts and beliefs. Unlike Repressive State Apparatuses, they don’t rely on force but instead work through persuasion and social conditioning. Althusser argues that Ideological State Apparatuses shape people’s understanding of themselves and the world to fit societal norms and maintain the status-quo. For example, schools teach students obedience, discipline, and respect for authority while presenting these behaviors as natural and necessary. By instilling specific ideologies, Ideological State Apparatuses ensure that people accept the social order without questioning it, which makes their role less visible but equally powerful.
  3. The primary difference between Repressive State Apparatuses and Ideological State Apparatuses is their method of control. Repressive State Apparatuses maintain order through direct, physical force or threats, while Ideological State Apparatuses influence people’s beliefs and behaviors indirectly. Repressive State Apparatuses are more visible, using coercive means such as policing and legal systems to ensure compliance. In contrast, Ideological State Apparatuses work subtly, shaping how people think and act through institutions like schools, media, and churches. Althusser believes both serve the interests of the ruling class but operate differently to maintain societal stability. Repressive State Apparatuses handle resistance, while Ideological State Apparatuses instill ideologies that make resistance less likely in the first place.
  4. Example – ideology
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETxmCCsMoD0

    I chose to bring ABBA’s song ‘Money, Money, Money” as an example of ideology. This is of course Ideological State Apparatus and not a Repressive State Apparatus because it doesn’t use force or threatens it.
    The song is talking about a person’s dream and desire to be rich, but something is keeping them from achieving this goal:

    “I work all night, I work all day, to pay the bills I have to pay
    Ain’t it sad?
    And still, there never seems to be a single penny left for me
    That’s too bad”

    Whether it is because of taxes or low wages, the writer is complaining that although they work very hard to promote themselves in life and fulfill their dreams, the money they earned doesn’t stay with them for long. In both cases, it is criticizing the capitalistic approach to pay low wages for one’s work. Also, in capitalism, the rich portion of society are paying little to no taxes on their assets while the poorer portion pay more taxes in relation to their income.
    This is in my opinion a call for some sort of action to change the way society is treating those who work hard for their paycheck.

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