1. Keeping in mind the material covered in this lesson, describe how you understand ideology in your own words.
Ideology is basically a set of beliefs and ideas that shape how we see the world and make decisions. It influences our political, economic, and social views, guiding what actions and policies we support. For example, different ideologies like conservatism, liberalism, socialism, and libertarianism have their own takes on government roles and social issues. Conservatives might focus on personal freedoms and traditional values, while liberals often push for social welfare and equality. Socialists aim for public ownership to reduce inequality, and libertarians want less government interference. Look at marijuana legalization. A conservative might be against it because they worry about its impact on society and moral values. On the other hand, a liberal might support it to promote personal freedom and fix social justice issues, like reducing jail time for minor drug offenses. Libertarians would likely back legalization too, since they believe in personal choice and minimal government control. This shows how ideology affects what people think about policies. Understanding ideology means seeing how these different views impact society. Ideologies aren’t just ideas; they influence laws, cultural norms, and everyday life. By looking at how ideologies work, we can understand why people believe what they do and how those beliefs lead to changes in society.
2. How do you understand the difference between conservative and liberal ideology in US politics? What seem to be the big differences, the dividing line? Given an example to backup your arguments.
In U.S. politics, the difference between conservative and liberal ideology can be seen in how each views the role of government and individual freedoms. Conservatives often believe that the government should have a limited role, especially in economic matters, emphasizing personal responsibility and traditional values. They might prioritize individual rights like owning guns and are generally skeptical of large social welfare programs. On the other hand, liberals tend to support a more active government role in reducing social inequalities and providing services such as healthcare and education. They focus on social justice and environmental protection, believing that collective efforts can lead to a fairer society. For instance, when it comes to healthcare, conservatives might worry about too much government control, while liberals see universal healthcare as essential for ensuring everyone has access to medical care. These differences highlight how conservatives value individualism and self-reliance, whereas liberals emphasize community support and equality.
3. How do you understand Althusser’s definition of ideology? Paraphrase it in your own words. Given an example. Hint: you may have to watch the second video again, and find the few places where Althusser’s position is presented.
Louis Althusser, a Marxist Philosopher, describes ideology as a set of beliefs and ideas that unconsciously influence how individuals understand and engage with the world around them. Ideology works in such a way that people often accept these beliefs as natural or obvious, without questioning their origins or implications. Take deportation, for example. In capitalist societies, the rich might push the idea that deporting immigrants will fix economic problems and create more jobs for citizens. This shifts attention away from bigger issues such as low wages or lack of investment in local communities. As a result, people might support strict immigration policies and politicians who call for mass deportations, thinking it will help their economic situation. However, these actions can lead to labor shortages and hurt industries that rely on immigrant workers, which ends up affecting everyone negatively. By focusing on deportation, the real causes of economic challenges get ignored, showing how ideology can distract from the actual problems.