1. As covered in my DB #3.1 response, Althusser broke the system of ideology down into operating functions of “Repressive Apparatus” and “Ideological Apparatus”, both of which influenced people to accept and maintain the status quo. However let’s get into the “Repressive Apparatus”, It is one of the two tactics Althusser believed powerful institutions used in order to control the public, specifically through the threat of violence. The main usual threats of violence are the police, the courts, and prison. Althusser’s usage of the specific term “repressive” was extremely intentional, it highlighted the forceful nature of this tactic. These powerful institutions, like the U.S. government, use it to assert control over the public in order to maintain the status quo. One of the largest examples of a repressive apparatus would be the police, as they serve as the first point of contact between citizens and the criminal justice system. They enforce the laws and maintain order using the threat of punishment, their authority deters resistance and ensures the establishment of the status quo.
  2. Due to fear not being the prime motivator for everyone, according to Althusser’s philosophy, the Ideological Apparatus was created to uphold the status quo for those who were unmotivated by force or violence. It was essentially designed to create the illusion of power and equality. This apparatus using institutions like education, politics, and media reinforced the status quo while making individuals feel as though they were making their own choices when in reality their perspectives and decisions were subtly guided to align with the dominant majority and by operating through institutions like education, politics, and media the Ideological Apparatus reinforced power structures while disguising control as a personal choice. Specifically, politics maintains the status quo by giving an illusionary choice, voters feel as though they are making independent decisions, but they’re selecting from predetermined options. Similarly, media offers an illusionary choice between indistinct commodities. And lastly, education is the most powerful institution as it is the only mandatory one, in schools children are blatantly taught reading writing, and math, however, they are subtly taught discipline and tactics which ensure individuals conform to societal expectations, once again reinforcing the status quo at an early age.
  3. The Repressive Apparatus and Ideological Apparatus work hand in hand, as the Ideological Apparatus often steps in when the Repressive Apparatus fails to maintain control over the majority. There are key differences between the two, the largest being that Repressive Apparatus practices direct force and intervention while Ideological Apparatus utilizes subtle influence rather than direct force/intervention. The Repressive Apparatus uses direct force through institutions like the police, courts, and prisons in order to maintain the punishment as a control tactic. However, the Ideological Apparatus uses subtle influence, specifically psychological manipulation to shape the public’s perception. Through institutions like education, politics, and the media citizens’ beliefs and views of society are guided to align with the dominant ideology.
  4. I’ve chosen America’s national anthem, known as the Star Spangled Banner which is typically performed at public events, this is an Ideological Apparatus as it does not practice direct intervention but instead uses subtle psychological manipulation to encourage unity and loyalty to the United States.

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