According to Althusser Repressive state apparatus are those institutions that works trough coercion, force or the threat such the police, military and courts

in the other hand, Ideological state apparatus are the opposite institutions that works tr ough persuasion, teachings and behavioral developments to make individuals accept the social norms. such school, family, religious organizations and few cultural systems

the difference is mainly the approach it have to the individual, mode of operation, the visibility and function

RSA are direct, visible and forced

ISA are indirect, subtle and persuasive

An example of an Ideology is Catholicism it is subtle but firm, it provides the Christian ethics and moral through the sacred scriptures, it is a philosophy based on loving your neighbor.

in some cases this ideology is conveyed from home, from a very little age, and it shapes how you see the world, how you see yourself and how you treat other people

1. A Repressive State Apparatus is a concept developed by Louis Althusser. The ruling class creates and maintains order by creating fear through institutions such as jail/prison, court, police, and the military. It creates the fear of punishment. For example, during the 1960’s the Commissioner of Public Safety in Birmingham, Alabama named Bull Conner sent the Birmingham Fire Department to stop a civil rights protest. He ordered them to use dogs and fire hoses to get the protesters out of the street simply because he didn’t agree with the fight to end segregation. He abused his power and used state power to maintain the status-quo.
2. An Ideological State Apparatus is also a concept developed by Louis Althusser. These are the institutions within society that mold the public’s beliefs, views, and values. This is done through schools, churches, and media. For example, after 9/11 there was a new influx of fear and prejudices against Muslims in America. This lead to Muslims being portrayed as violent terrorists in media and politicians calling for a “muslim ban” which would prohibit Muslims from both entering and living in America. These ideologies were spread through Ideological State Apparatuses which influenced how Americans viewed Muslims and produced ignorant stereotypes.
3. The Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses are different from each other because of their approach. The Repressive State Apparatus uses fear and maintains order through physical force. The Ideological State Apparatus persuades the public and influences the public’s values and opinion.

This is an example of an Ideological State Apparatus. The entire slogan “Make America Great Again” promotes nationalism and embodies patriotism. This influences people to support the movement because when you become a supporter, you are actively making America “great”.

A Repressive State Apparatus is an apparatus used to impose fear of punishment to keep people aligned with the ideological norm of that society. Althusser calls it repressive because the “repressive” state apparatus may very well go against someone’s natural behavior and/or ideas. If a person is assaulted by someone, their natural response may be to hit them back and defend themselves. However, there some states that will convict someone unless they can prove that hitting back was there only option for survival. If the person had the chance to flee or call the cops, then they should have taken that option instead. The fear of being arrested and convicted of assault may deter someone from responding naturally by immediately returning the attack.

Ideological State Apparatuses are schools, politics, and mass media. These apparatuses create a sense of norm for society. It relies on people’s natural desire to be accepted. Therefore, a social norm is presented that most people will not deviate from. School is a state apparatus where children are trained to learn the norm of being obedient and submitting to certain rules and structure. As adults, this obedience and submission will be continued at work, religious institutions, and in almost every aspect of their lives.

Repressive State Apparatuses enforce the threat of fear with punishment and violence with police, courts, and prison. Repressive State Apparatuses are needed when someone deviates from the behaviors created and outlined by the Ideological State Apparatuses. Ideological State Apparatuses create and enforce the social norm through education, media, politics, and family.  

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

A Repressive State Apparatus is a collection of state controlled institutions that use force or threats of force to maintain order and enforce a law. Apparatus calls it “repressive” because it uses coercion and functions by violence to maintain social order. Some common examples of this in our society today is police, judiciary, and the prison system.

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

Ideological State Apparatus is institutions which spread dominant ideology of a society which shapes individual beliefs and ensures that they follow rules without having to use force. Examples of these institutions are schools, churches, the media, and even family.

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 between Repressive and Ideological State Apparatus is the approach the use to control individuals. The repressive state apparatus uses forces or threats to implement fear into individuals so they can maintain order. While Ideological State Apparatus ideologically control individuals without force or threats.

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.

This is a political cartoon, illustrating Ideological State Apparatus.

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

*According to Althusser, the term “RSA” (Repressive State Apparatus) refers to organizations or systems that generally operate by using coercion and force. These establishments consist of courts, prisons, the military, law enforcement and other legal systems. They are known as “repressive” because they uphold a social order by disciplining or repressing people, or groups who oppose state authority through the use violence or the threat of it. In the video Althusser uses the word “repressive” because these institutions are used to try and control people by using force, such as military or police action to stop protests, punishment like imprisonment, execution , or any other legal authority that upholds social control. External control- forces that suppress particular behaviors or actions, mainly through direct physical or legal means is the main focus. For example, An “RSA” would be the police in a dictatorship, by detaining and occasionally physically assaulting those who show or challenge authority, they prevent and penalize disapproval.

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

*The ideological State Apparatuses (ISAs), function mainly through ideology as opposed to force, in contrast to the repressive State apparatuses. These are organizations or frameworks that shape people’s opinions, values and beliefs to suit the objectives of governing class. Schools, the media, churches, family units and even the creation of art or culture are examples of ISAs, ISAsv exert influence by influencing people’s Consciousness and beliefs making particular ideas seem normal or invitable in contrast to RSAs, who maintain control through coercion or physical violence as stated before.

ISAs function by assisting people in internalizing the state’s norms and values. For instance, schools reinforce appropriate behavior for kids within the current social and economic structure in addition to teaching academic material. In order to convince people to accept their roles within the status quo, media outlets frequently propagate prevailing ideologies that defend and legitimize it. For example, the educational system is a traditional ISA. In addition to academic subjects, it teaches social norms and roles like hierarchy, obedience, and competitiveness. By influencing how people perceive their position in society, these values support the status quo without resorting to overt physical force.

3.How are the Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses different from each other? What is the difference between the two?

*The differences between “ISAs” and “RSAs” is how they exercise control over people is the primary distinction between Ideological State Apparatuses (ISAs) and Repressive State Apparatuses (RSAs):

Physical force or coercion is the main way that RSAs (such as the police, military, and courts) operate. They exert control over people by punishing them or threatening to punish them for breaking the laws of the state. The objective is external repression in order to preserve order.

Schools, the media, and families are examples of ISAs that operate on the basis of ideology and beliefs. Without the use of physical force, they mold people’s perspectives and force them to share the values and beliefs of the state. By persuading people that the current social order is inevitable, normal, or natural, they uphold the status quo. In short terms RSAs act through direct power, while ISAs act through consent.

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.

*An Ideological Example: Is a movie called “The Pursuit of Happyness”, where the main character “Christopher Gardner” (Will Smith) battles poverty but is portrayed as succeeding due to his “right” work ethic, attitude, and determination. The movie reinforces the meritocratic ideology of capitalist societies by implying that determination, hard work, and individual effort can overcome all challenges. This is a representation of an Ideological State Apparatus (ISA) in action. Without addressing structural inequalities, the movie furthers the notion that success is entirely the product of individual effort, which is consistent with capitalist ideas of meritocracy and self-reliance. This reinforces the idea that the social system functions for those who “deserve” it.

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.

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.

1. Repressive State Apparatus is a form of control using fear and laws to push people to follow a specific ideology. It is referred to as repressive as it is used to prevent people from acting on their interest; it “represses” their impulse to go against the rules of society. The police and the courts are an example of Repressive Apparatus, as they use force to compel people in society to obey or there would be consequences. You are arrested for not following the rules of society, threatened by the idea of court or prison, and given write-ups or tickets for breaking even smaller laws. Repressing power by force to get you to obey the rules.
   
2. Ideological State Apparatuses focus more on shaping beliefs and values rather than threatening people. This allows individuals to develop an understanding of what social norms are and what is expected by preparing them. Ideological State Apparatuses use a system where it is mandatory for those to attend; it would reach their goals similarly as it would be repressive. An example of an Ideological Apparatus would be in the education system, as this space teaches discipline and respect for authority without the harsher punishments but that there are consequences and to prepare them to meet the expectations of them so they can settle in society. School creates an environment where learning is enforced through reward and punishment to shape their behavior, not without the need for threats but with a more subtle psychological effect to mold behavior and their minds that following rules brings rewards and to defy them creates consequences. Another example of this would be the medieval Catholic Church, as this space does teach the basics such as writing and reading as schools do. The Catholic Church deemed it appropriate for those to have discipline as the church transmits beliefs and thoughts and shapes the way you view the world.
   
3. The difference between Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses would be the methods they use to spread their ideology and control. Repressive uses fear and threats of punishment to create suppression. Ideological State Apparatuses use rewards or create the opportunity through media for our need of belonging to be sated.
   
4. In the film 1984, the scene named Two Minutes Hate is a prime example of Ideological Apparatus. In this scene, a group known as the English Socialist Party uses the media to sway the minds of the people by using hatred and fear as a motivator in controlling behavior. By using visuals and audio commentary, they push the masses away from the party, hiding their true motives to a singular enemy, which the crowd yells out as Goldstein. They do this to instill hatred for dissenters, embedding the ideology that they are in the right and should be the only group to follow.
5. 1984 (1/11) Movie CLIP – Two Minutes Hate (1984) HD