1. The term “ideology” refers to a set of ideas that shape one’s fundamental beliefs and perspectives on politics, society, economics, education, religion, gender, and other relevant subjects.
My chosen example of ideology relates to religious issues, as affirmed in the second video of module 3.: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6w5gPtChhU, “Althusser on Capitalist Ideology and State Apparatuses”, minute 3:32), in which the speaker referred to the basis of ideology according to a false interpretation of words of the Bible exerting indoctrination over peoples, who may accept it as true quickly.
Ideology or point of view spreads a set of beliefs or values to others based on arguments that support their ideas, these ideas will be accepted by others who become part of the same ideology. Some of the motivators/indoctrinators could be parents or professors who hold a level of power over children/students who will accept their ideology naturally. One example of this can be seen in the first video of module 3: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_k_k-bHigM, “Political Ideology: Crash Course Government and Politics #35”, minute 4:50). Indoctrination can be exerted by power figures that use fundamental arguments that are of interest/own benefit of the individuals/groups of the society.

2. After watching the videos and doing the reading, I now have a better understanding of the practical differences between conservatism and liberalism. I have realized that it is crucial to strike a balance between the two ideologies to attain a functional government that benefits the general population. I believe that extreme positions are not helpful and that a middle ground is necessary for major development in society.
The characteristics more important are clear:
Liberalism:

• Focusing on the Equality of the persons in the society (same opportunities to education, jobs, insurance, and health for each Race, Gender, Religion, and Ethnicity).

• Reduce the cost of Military investment (avoid spending more than enough on Military practices, or defenses/wars in countries outside the US)

• Increase investment in social programs (beneficing all levels of society, especially in education is the basis of the prosperity in social issues)

• Implement regulatory policies over the business and increase payment of taxes.

• Create a bigger/stronger government, a union of states to manage in better ways the US (the creation of just laws for tax payment, that allow the controlled economic progress and their correspondent pay to the society)

Conservatism:

• Focusing on the liberty of individuals.

• Maintain the investment in Military issues.

• Reduce/Privatizing the social services.

• Reduce regulatory policies in business investment to expand economic movement and progress.

• Reduce Tax payments.

• Maintain the autonomy of smaller States to manage resources in better ways and reduce hazards of massive damage.

3. After watching the second video, I understood Althusser’s definition of ideology. According to him, ideology is a set of ideas that can influence our lives by entering our minds and becoming deeply embedded in our beliefs. This is reinforced by our behaviors, which are seen as acceptable and encouraged by society, making us conform to the capitalist economy. Althusser also introduced the concepts of Capitalist Ideology and State Apparatuses. The example about school as State Apparatus and the influence exerted over students’ ideology is really interesting and real, the teachers, professors, and even peers that have significant power/value over students exert influence on thinking changing, or aligning these, for example in the topic related to the religion, the belief on God or in counterpart the rejection to the religion practices, and belief in God. Another example can be the influence exerted by ideas supported in college by professors and peers of the “my body-my choice” idea pro-abortion or against it “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception” according to the Catholic perspective. In both cases, there will exist the influence that will attract one perspective or another to receive it as true and own.