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 where the state controls you through the possible threat of violence. In my opinion, Althusser calls it “repressive” because the apparatus represses the urge to commit crime with the threat of violence. An example of a Repressive State Apparatus would be the use of military level security at grand central. 

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

• A Ideological State Apparatus is where the state controls you through the need to fit into society while preventing change to the status quo. An example of an Ideological State Apparatuses would be how politics maintain the status quo by giving you a choice to vote for who you agree with the most ideologically. Nowadays, both parties are so similar you are unable to vote for someone who you would actually want to have in office, but the illusion of choice keeps you in line. 

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?

• Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses are vastly different. The Repressive State Apparatus uses physical force as a way to control the population while Ideological State Apparatuses focus on changing one’s belief to control them. Though both are used as a mechanism to control people, the RSA enforces fear while ISA tries to invoke change of perception. 

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. I’ll start us of off by giving an example.

RSA