1. My understanding of ‘ideology’ is that, ideology is an individual’s internal beliefs and how they understand and define the world. Many factors shape a person’s ideology, including family, race, gender, religion, and ethnicity. Economic self-interest, education, and personal life experiences are also significant influences. Since everything is constantly changing, ideology naturally evolves over time. It influences a person’s attitudes and actions. Whether someone leans more towards liberal or conservative in politics also depends on their ideology. For example, environmentalists prioritize renewable energy and strict environmental regulations to address climate change. On the other hand, producers and businesses mens emphasize economic growth and job creation.
2. Conservatives back up and support elite corporate people’s interests and advocate for lower taxes. On the other hand, liberals support and address inclusivity, social inequalities and economic disparities. The dividing line between these ideologies is the degree of government involvement. For example, Liberals support government intervention in the healthcare system to ensure broader access and affordability. Conservatives, in contrast, argue for a more market-driven approach and limited government involvement in healthcare.
3. According to Althusser ideology is a bunch of ideas that sneak into our minds and become strong beliefs. These beliefs are enforced by society’s rules, making us act in ways that are considered acceptable in a system like capitalism.

1. a) Ideology refers to a set of beliefs, values, and ideas that shape and guide individuals’ understanding of the world, society, and politics. It provides a framework for interpreting events, forming opinions, and making decisions within a particular social, cultural, or political context.

b) For instance, in the United States, the ideology of liberalism emphasizes individual rights, freedoms, and limited government intervention in the economy. Liberals advocate for policies such as healthcare reforms, environmental protections, and social welfare programs to address societal inequalities and promote equal opportunities.

c) Ideology influences political discourse, policy-making, and voter behavior. In American government classes, understanding ideologies like liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and libertarianism helps grasp diverse perspectives on governance, rights, and responsibilities. These ideologies often shape debates on issues like taxation, healthcare, immigration, and the role of government in regulating markets and ensuring social justice.

2. In US politics, the conservative and liberal ideologies diverge primarily in their views on government intervention, individual rights, and social policies. Conservatives prioritize limited government involvement in the economy, advocating for lower taxes, deregulation, and free-market principles to stimulate growth and innovation. They emphasize traditional values, often rooted in religious beliefs, and support policies like restrictions on abortion and immigration. On the other hand, liberals advocate for government intervention to address social inequalities, ensure access to healthcare and education, and protect civil rights and liberties. They prioritize progressive taxation, environmental regulations, and policies promoting diversity and inclusion. For example, conservatives may oppose government-funded healthcare programs, while liberals support initiatives like the Affordable Care Act to expand access to healthcare services. Ultimately, the dividing line between conservatism and liberalism lies in their contrasting approaches to governance, individual liberties, and societal values.

3. Althusser defines ideology as a system of ideas and beliefs that perpetuates the dominance of a ruling class by shaping individuals’ perceptions of reality. It operates through institutions like schools, media, and religion, which disseminate ideologies that serve the interests of the ruling class. Individuals internalize these ideologies, unaware of their role in perpetuating societal inequalities. For example, the American Dream promotes the belief that hard work leads to success, masking systemic barriers to social mobility. Althusser’s concept highlights how ideologies reinforce power dynamics and social hierarchies by shaping how people understand and interact with the world around them.

1. Ideology is the beliefs that we have as individuals that leads us to identify with a specific political party. We all come from different backgrounds and we have different needs and wants; these needs and wants are what makes us decide which party is more convenient for us. Race, ethnicity, and social class are a big influence on whether we are far right, center or far left. 

       For example, minorities like Latinos and African Americans who are politically involved tend to choose to support the center left and far left which is the Liberal party. To better understand why it is important to note the characteristics of the Liberal left. The Liberal left believes in things like decreasing the money invested in the military and using more towards social causes, a big government who is involved with the public and higher taxes. The higher taxes are used for things like welfare and more government involvement. Minorities who are in need and need support from the government are likely to be in the center left through far left. 

     Some people won’t like all the qualities of a party but one fits them better than others. Like said in the video “Althusser on Capitalist Ideology and State Apparatus”, political parties are all similar; they just make us feel like we have a choice. There is an ideology for everyone, and for each one there is a political side. With this said, nothing changes but the position. 

2. I understand the difference between the conservative and liberal ideology in US politics because I see conservative as being more capitalists. The Conservatives support the corporate elites and  lower taxes because they believe “rich and poor pretty much get what they deserve” (Parent, 52). While Liberals believe in “advancing education, providing jobs for everyone able to work, sufficient aid to the disabled…” (Parenti, 55). In conclusion, the division line would be that one side (Conservatives) supports having a very few people be successful while the other side (Liberals) supports more involvement of the government with people in need. 

3. I understood that Althusser’s position on ideology was that he thought all was the same. He believes that while people have the illusion of having a choice they will remain calm. This means that all sides have the same purpose but they mask it into different ideas so the public has a choice. Through different apparatuses like the entertainment apparatus the population is blind to what is really happening politically. 

1. Keeping in mind the material covered in this lesson, describe how you understand ideology in YOUR OWN WORDS. 

After reviewing Module 3, reading the excerpt from “Democracy for the Few” by Michael Parenti and watching “Political Ideology: Crash Course Government and Politics”, I understand ideology as a set of specific beliefs that strongly influence the way we view and operate ourselves in society. Political ideologies can be influenced by religion and seeing that society wants to be seen and heard in their beliefs through the party system, politicians can rally voters of similar ideologies to stand behind them. 

As stated above, political ideologies can strongly influence how society operates. Another example of the extent of influence is during the aftermath of the Haitian Revolution. Haiti’s president at the time, Toussaint Louverture, wished for the other side of Hispaniola (modern day the Dominican Republic) to be united with them, and his views were very socialist leaning. At the time, the Dominican Republic was heavily affected by Spanish influence, so when Louverture ended slavery for the island and became the sole President some of his views were not well welcomed. Dominicans had worked hard under Spanish influence and a lot of people owned multiple lots of lands, homes and cattle. When Louverture set new rules that caused people to give up their land in order to allow everyone to have a piece of land, they rejected him. 

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 back up your arguments.

The key ideological differences between liberals and conservatives in US politics can be seen in how the conservative influence entails rejecting higher tax rates, large government regulation and government social programs while the liberal influence entails enforcing higher tax rates for the 1% and  the government intervention in the economy through social programs. An example of the ideological differences is shown in the most recent bipartisan tax bill the house passed that is on its way to the senate, the talk of the conservative side is if it was to be passed, it would make the liberals look good so they should not pass it.

3. How do you understand Althusser’s definition of ideology? Paraphrase it in your own words. Given an example. 

I understand Althusser’s definition of ideology as the act of getting a population to act against their own interest and justify a certain belief while preventing change to the status quo. An example of this in American politics is the voting system. The government allows us to vote so we feel compelled enough to rally behind politicians and feel like we have a say in what happens when in reality we do not.

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.

1. The definition of ideology we have now  in the 20th century was reinforced through expected and approved behaviors. Before that it made is the first apparition as the Marxist idea, where an ideology was a way to reflect the interest of the ruling class and justify their high status that keep them in power. At first, ideology was internalized by everyone since it followed some knowledge of the Bible. Eventually, as the world grows even it they ad the freedom to choose the population was conditioned to follow this ideology that is not always beneficial for them. This is due to two principal things, people are conditioned by fear with the threats of violence: police; Court; prison. And school where we learn to obey and to internalize ideology by discipline priming us to be a non-confrontational and a productive “good citizen”.
2. In US politics, we can find a line dividing two distinct ideologies, the Liberal one and the conservative one. Even though there’s some resemblance between those two, depending on the person’s personality, there are big differences. First we can see that most of the time conservative ideology is followed by white catholic or people that suffer from the government’s rules. While liberal ideology is followed by Jews, African American, Latino or poor people that receive a significant share of government benefits. As we can see both of them have a distinct opinion on the governments conservative ideology believes that a large government poses a treat to individual liberty, so they prefer the government to be as small as possible. And in the other side liberal ideology believes government helps solve problems, so a bigger one could solve more and bigger ones. They also have different values. Conservatives value liberty, while liberals value equality. But the main difference between those two ideologies is their ways of seeing the government.
3. Althusser’s definition of ideology shows the importance of the various social apparatuses. Those apparatuses found in the society explain why people seemingly opted not to act in their best interest and always seems to turn on to supporting fascism.

1. framework. Marxist ideology was first defined as interests that represent the ruling class and provide justification for the current state of affairs that maintains their dominance. The lower classes are then forced to embrace and absorb these interests because they have been socialized—usually out of fear—to accept their place in society. In today’s world, according to certain norms enables people to follow expectations and rewards, which in turn helps them become productive members of a capitalist society. This reinforces ideology. Ideology opposes both revolutionary impulses and alterations to the status
2. Ideological distinctions between liberal and conservative viewpoints are striking. Conservative philosophy strongly favors a less involved, smaller, less regulated government. The conservative party opposes greater taxes on the wealthy and government “handouts” since corporate elites and other wealthy people make up a large portion of its membership. Conservatives generally support a strong authoritarian state, harsher police tactics, a powerful military, government subsidiaries, and corporate bailouts despite their desire for little government involvement. While liberal philosophy does support a strong government presence, it frequently criticizes capitalism. They contend that a democratically responsive social democracy should offer accessible housing, jobs for all, environmental protection, livable wages, and a platform for free market capitalism, which only serves a select few.
3. When given alternatives, even when supporting fascism went against one’s own interests, Althusser sought to understand why individuals opted for it. He claimed that different social apparatuses maintained ideology.

1. Ideology was originally a Marxist idea that can be summarized as interests that reflect the ruling class and justifies the status quo that keeps them in power. These interests are then imposed on the lower classes who accept and internalize it because they have been conditioned, typically through fear, to accept their place in society. Ideology is reinforced through expected and rewarded behavior that, in modern society, further allows people to adhere to specific rules that leads them to becoming a productive member in a capitalist society. Ideology rejects changes to the status quo and revolutionary impulses. 
2. The differences between liberal and conservative ideology are stark. Conservative ideology believes heavily in a smaller, less involved government with little regulation. Because so much of the conservative party is made up of corporate elites and other affluent people, they do not support higher taxes for the wealthy and government “handouts.” Despite wanting little government intervention, conservatives typically support a strong authoritarian state, harsher police methods, a strong military, and government subsidiaries and bailouts for corporate enterprises. Liberal ideology often rejects capitalism, and does believe in a large government presence. They argue that free market capitalism only benefits a privileged few, and that a democratically responsive social democracy should provide jobs for all, environmental protection, support livable wages, provide homes for all and offer affordable medical care.
3. Althusser wanted to understand why people chose to support fascism when presented with other options, when it directly went against their own interests. He asserted that ideology was upheld through various Apparatuses in society.

So, we’ve encountered three different overviews of what ideology is, but let’s organize our own thinking about it. In this discussion board, think about and comment on the following questions:

1. Keeping in mind the material covered in this lesson, describe how you understand ideology in your own words.
Hint: One way to approach this is as follows
a) Describe what ideology is in a brief paragraph (in your own words).
b) Give an example illustrating what you wrote in (a).
c) Write another paragraph (or two), explaining to your reader with additional details, how you understand ideology.

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.
Hint: try to identify key words (concepts) that play a big role in making someone consider themselves to be liberal or conservative. Then, explain in your own words what those keywords (concepts) mean.

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.

Hint: Remember, the discussion boards are crucial for us this semester, because they reproduce our in-class conversations. Try to be thorough and write more, rather than less. I will do the same, and make sure by the time we end our discussion, we have covered the key ideas on the module.

To organize things better, I have broken up our conversation into two parts. After finishing here, head over to Discussion Board 3 – part 2 .

Before posting, watch this video, which will show you how to post your answer to this discussion board:

NOTE: Once you’ve scheduled your post to be published on at midnight on Sunday, you can still go back and edit your post until then, if you want to rewrite and/or add to your post.

As a review, follow the following steps to submit your response:

1. Click on the “+” button in the black bar at the top of the screen
2. Type a title for the post (it should include your full name)
3. Type your response
4. On the right side, click on Categories: and check “Discussion 3.1”
5. Important: On the right side, at the top: click on the date next to Publish, and enter your post date, which is this coming Sunday, at 11:59pm.
6. Click Publish and you’re done.

What will happen next is your post will automatically be published by the OpenLab system on Sunday at midnight. The goal here is for all student posts to be published at the same deadline. After that point, you can begin reading each others’ posts, and you have to comment on at least one other student’s post.

Note: please make sure that you schedule your post to be published on Sunday, midnight, not before.