What is ideology?
- Ideology is a set of beliefs and ideas consciously or unconsciously held that shape our understandings and misconceptions of the social, economic, and political world. It influences what’s right and wrong and how society should operate. Socialism is an ideology that chooses equality in the splitting of wealth and collective ownership of resources. To help to guarantee that everyone has equal access to basic services and close the wealth gap, a socialist could say that the government should offer free healthcare and education. I think I grasp the concept of ideology by thinking of it as left and right literally to keep it simple its ideas that shape things.
- How do you understand the difference between conservative and liberal ideology in US politics? What seem to be the big differences, the dividing line?
I understand the difference between Conservative and liberal ideologies through how they view the role of the government, Conservatives believe the government should have less involvement in people’s lives, and they lean more towards traditional values. While liberals believe the government should be involved and there should be equal rights amongst everyone. I think the dividing line is conservatives believe people should be responsible for themselves and liberals believe everything should be equal with help.
- How do you understand Althusser’s definition of ideology? Paraphrase it in your own words.
Althusser’s definition of ideology is control, beliefs, and systematic implementation. Control is repressive apparatus, the police, prison, etc, and ideological state apparatuses, such as how schools teach kids, mass media, etc. He also talked about how ideology is not a conscious thing, but everyone internalizes it, people believe things without knowing it. Lastly, systematic implantation in the churches and courtrooms, when you watch a lecture
