1. The repressive state apparatus is the political method used by the ruling class to repress the inferior social groups using violent or coercive tactics. Althusser called it “repressive” because the ruling classes repress every opinions from the inferior classes. For example, repressive state apparatus can be seen in the direct exercise of power through institutions such as the police, military, judiciary and school. Repressive state apparatus not only enforce existing laws and regulations but also play a significant role in shaping and defining what is considered lawful and acceptable behavior within society. Through this method, the ruling class reinforce the existing social hierarchy and maintain the status quo.
2. Ideological status apparatus prevents change to the status quo. The ruling class trick the inferior classes into thinking they have choices, but really, there is only one outcome that benefits the rulers. People are taught to follow what society says is right and anything different is considered wrong. This makes everyone stick to their assigned roles and prevent them from questioning.
3. The Ideological State Apparatus conditioned or tricked people’s ideology and maintain their status quo. The Repressive State Apparatus use violence. First, they try to control people’s ideology and if that does not work,then they use force and repression.
4. Ideology status apparatus

1) A Repressive State Apparatus refers to institutions like the police, military, and judiciary that enforce laws and maintain social order through coercion and force. Louis Althusser termed it “repressive” because it directly suppresses dissent and opposition to the ruling ideology or state power. The term “repressive” underscores the coercive nature of these institutions in maintaining control over the populace. For example, in a totalitarian regime, the secret police and censorship bureaus exemplify the repressive state apparatus by quelling dissent, surveilling citizens, and punishing those who challenge the regime’s authority.

2) Ideological State Apparatuses encompass institutions like education, media, religion, and family, which disseminate dominant ideologies, values, and beliefs that reinforce the status quo. In the American context, Ideological State Apparatuses operate through mechanisms such as public education, where curricula often reflect societal norms and values, media outlets that shape public discourse, and religious institutions that influence moral and ethical frameworks. Ideological State Apparatuses perpetuate ideologies that align with the interests of the ruling class, promoting compliance and consent among citizens. Through these apparatuses, the American government maintains ideological hegemony, shaping perceptions and reinforcing social structures to uphold its authority. 

3) Repressive State Apparatuses primarily operate through coercion and force to maintain social order and suppress dissent, relying on institutions like the police and military. They enforce laws and regulations through punishment and surveillance. On the other hand, Ideological State Apparatuses function through disseminating ideologies, values, and beliefs that support the existing power structure. Ideological State Apparatuses include institutions like education, media, religion, and family, which shape individuals’ perceptions, values, and identities, fostering compliance and consent to the ruling ideology. While Repressive State Apparatuses use direct control and coercion, Ideological State Apparatuses operate through persuasion, socialization, and the internalization of norms and values.

4) Example: A political advertisement promoting “law and order” policies, showcasing images of police officers maintaining order and protecting communities while emphasizing the importance of obedience to authority. This is an example of ideological apparatuses at work, as it reinforces the dominant ideology of maintaining social order through the enforcement of laws and authority figures. The advertisement aims to shape public perception and garner support for policies that strengthen the repressive state apparatuses, such as increased police presence and stricter law enforcement measures.

1. A Repressive State apparatus is an apparatus that controls the population, keeping everything together. It is usually violence and seen as a police force and prison. Althusser calls it “Repressive” because with this type of control from the government people would be scared to express their opinion and will repress them because they are scared of the consequences. This is why we are taught in school to be obedient, if we are not it is followed by things like detention and a call home. Fear is implanted into us from the school system as kids to society when we are adults. 
   
2. Ideological State Apparatuses are more psychosocial. Like stated in the previous response, they start in school. In school we start learning about the government, how it works and from there we start to have our own beliefs. This of course can be influenced by what we are taught in the first place. The perspective of teachers is also important because they are who we learn from. 
   
3. Repressive and Ideological apparatuses are different because Repressive apparatuses are used to plant fear in us while Ideological apparatuses are used to train us. I’d say that Repressive apparatuses are more physical while Ideological apparatuses are more psychological. 
   

I believe that the “School-to-prison pipeline” is a repressive apparatus because we are punished and threatened in school for misbehavior but then we go out to a society where we are also punished and threatened. We are trained to think this a normal procedure. 

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

1. We can define a repressive State Apparatus as a way to control the population beaver and make sure they fallow the ideology. Established by the ruling class to make people act against their interests. Repressive State Apparatus can be seen as an institution controlling through fear. It applies this fear through the police, the courts, and the prisons. Indeed, we can see that Althusser calls it repressive since the repressive State Apparatus controls what people do by using force and restraint.
2. We can define an Ideological State Apparatus as the way the ruling class tends to enter the population mind to control their beaver and make sure they fallow the ideology. For that, they established ideology preventing status quo changes with school politics and mass media. We are taught from the beginning to stay in our place. By fulling people and making them think they have a choice, the ruling class is able to maintain the population from going out of the line. But in fact the choice a pretty similar.
3. The difference between Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses is mostly in the way they are being applied. Ideological State Apparatuses is a way they have of entering our mind to train us. The first thing we learn with that is the fear of Repressive State Apparatuses those are mostly applied with force. There is also a difference in the time they are being applied ideological State Apparatuses comes first as the Repressive State Apparatuses come only if the ideological one didn’t work.
4. Shows and tournament is an Ideological state apparatuses which has existed for centuries, it is a way of keeping people in their place and preventing status quo changes. It makes people forget about their situation…

1. A Repressive State Apparatus is an institution in which control through violence is exercised by the ruling class. Examples of a Repressive State Apparatus include the police, courts, and prisons. Repress is a term meaning to subdue by force, so in this case it can be concluded that the ruling class intends to use fear of these institutions as a means to impose their will.
2. An Ideological State Apparatus is an institution put in place to prevent the change of the status quo. Ideological State Apparatus’ are meant to give us the illusion of choice by presenting us with two status quo options and allowing us to choose. This can be exercised through politics, advertising in the media, and notably through mandatory schooling. This technique brainwashes us into thinking we are performing as functional members of normal society rather than people capable of revolutionary change to our own socioeconomic status.
3. The two Apparatus’ differ from each other because Repressive State Apparatus’ serve a purpose only when Ideological State Apparatus’ fail to put people in their place.
4. I think one example of an Ideological Apparatus is the lottery. Every so often the media will advertise that the Powerball is a certain high amount, and in my experience people will run out and actively play the Powerball despite it not being in their best interest. Though most people know the extreme unlikeliness of actually winning the lottery, we are fed the illusion through choice of numbers, which store we go to, etc. that we can win the lottery and possibly change our current economic situations. I believe that would be an example of an Ideological Apparatus!

Okay, let ‘s go to the questions, consider the following:

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

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

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?

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.

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