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https://openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu/pol-100-introduction-to-american-government-artinian/online-discussion-guidelines/
Instructions for completing this discussion board assignment:
a) Identify which discussion question you are answering in your comment by placing the relevant number at the start of your answer. For example:
2. Crime has often been used as a form of social control by…
4. Michelle Alexander’s argument about segregation…
b) Respond to two other students’ comments.
Respond to the following questions in the “Comment” box below:
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 .
1To me, ideology is the various ideas, values and morals of a group of people’s beliefs. The entire purpose of ideology is to have something to stand for, it is what you represent and why you believe in what you do. Ideology can be expressed as a vision for the future of some sort which is usually a demand for change. It can be a change as in economically socially or just to society in general. They are usually first introduced as ridiculous unheard of ideas. An example of ideology can be the ideology of racists, racism often comes in a form of pinning bad stereotypes and crimes on a certain group of people. Only with the purpose to belittle and degrade them, making them feel as less than human or less than deserving of basic human decency. I understand ideology as what a group of people stand for and what their beliefs promote. This can be either negative or positive depending on the group of people. Ideology of a group can be shown clearly depending on what type of propoganda they are putting out to portray what they stand for and what they are about as a group of people.
your response actually helped me understand ideology in a more easier way . Your answers to the questions where full of detail and very easy to understand .
heyy, i feel all 3 of your responses was very clear and understandable, i feel as your definiton of ideology in question 1 was very well thought out. I like how you explained it as “ideas, values and morals”
reading your comemt really helped me understand a little more even though i am still kind of confused on ideology.
Great start on this discussion forum, Anicia! Could you also add how you understand the difference between liberal and conservative ideology in US politics? Also, how would you paraphrase Althusser’s take on ideology, that was discussed in one of the videos?
I love reading your responses because they help me understand better, also helping me answer certain questions. You answer them full of details and in a way we can all understand.
2) I understand the difference between conservative and liberal ideologies as a group of people who are looking out for themselves, and a group of people who are making sure everyone is given the same opportunities as the next person. Conservatives believe in a lot of absurd ideas like the idea that poor people are simply just lazy and are poor because lack of hard work. They do not want the government to help assist lower class people, disabled people, the elderly, and people who are in need. Liberals believe in free health care, free education, free mental health outlets, taxing the rich, police reform, and the government using their power to help lower class and minorities. A good example of what draws the line between Liberals and Conservatives is, Conservatives believe that women should not be allowed to have abortions and abortions should be illegal because the Bible is against abortions. On the other hand, liberals strongly believe that women should be able to do whatever they want with their bodies because it is their choice.
3) Althusser’s definition of ideology is the main idea behind an organization. Using the example of schooling, although school is to teach academic things, the ideology of school is to enforce discipline and learn to obey authority without questioning. An example used in the video is how from a young age we are taught to share, obey teachers and raise our hands when spoken to.
hi! i believe you detailed your responses perfectly. you were true to mostly using your own words. it is a nice quality to have while ensuring that what your saying will be understood by all that can read
Hello Anicia, I enjoy reading your responses because it seems like a lot of effort and thought goes into them. One part that stood out to me is when you stated, “a group of people who are looking out for themselves, and a group of people who are making sure everyone is given the same opportunities as the next person”. I liked this description because it’s a very straightforward way to put it, one group focuses on their own interests while the other focuses on themselves but also those around them. Your answers were to the point and gave me a clear understanding.
Aha, so in Althusser’s view, education is not necessarily about learning and gaining knowledge about the world (which we teachers believe it should be!), but rather, it could have other purposes such as: how to be a disciplined worker for somebody else???
1. a) The way I understand ideology is that it is. a form of political identification. This country is based on freedom and the people want to align with the group they most relate to and benefit from. There can be many influences on what affects a persons political standing but overall they can be either Liberals or Conservatives, while a smaller amount may choose to stand in between. Ideology is mainly about choosing a political identity that you thunk will make the country stronger.
b) An example of this may be when you grow up in a family of conservatives, your ideology may be the same because you likely believe in the same ideas about having less government involvement and wanting more individual freedom from it. You may naturally support this ideology because it is what you grew up thinking is a right choice in government involvement.
c) Understanding ideology is about looking at the government and deciding which is the better choice for the society and environment around you. Ideology is about your personal ideals for society and how the government can make a better version of it. Many factors can contribute to your identity because different situations create opinions that lead you to chose one or the other. Things such as school, family, gender, and the generation you grow up in can cause different self interests. The main focus is to either support less involvement from the government or to have more of it.
2. The difference between conservative and Liberals ideology is how much interference by the government is necessary. Liberals want more interference because they believe that it will make the society more equal and offer more opportunities between different income families. offering more relief for the environment and controlling biger corporations so that other necessities get taken care of are the main goals for Liberals. Conservatives are the opposite, they want less government interference because they believe that having more will take away from their individual liberty. This is more important rather than providing immediate relief for the environment, they support larger businesses and the free market system. The money from the government should support national defense and allow more liberty for private owned business without interference.
3. Althusser’s definition of Ideology is that the concept is taught to us early on by the schooling system. The idea of obeying the rules and learning discipline from this is something that forms into opinions of what is the right thing to follow in a society. The idea of ideology is what we would rather obey in our society and what we think is ultimately the right choice. An example is growing up in a certain environment that affects how you feel about the government and what you feel should be their role.
I can tell you really did find interest in this topic of ideology with how well thought out your responses were, I really like the example of us being taught to obey society without ever questioning why!
Hi Kyara,
I definitely saw a clear understanding of your point of view. You really put in detail of what Ideology means, also how you set the examples.
Hello Kyara!
Your answers were clear and very detailed. You did a great job in answering them. I was able to understand more about this topic after reading your answers.
Nice phrase, Kyara: ideology is about “political identity” – so, the ideology, the set of ideas that you use to make sense of the world you live in, directly shape the actions you take and who you ultimately become as a person in everyday life!
2. Yes, that’s the key difference between the liberals and conservatives: what is the role of government in shaping everyday life, where it should and can intervene, and where it cannot.
3. Indeed: ideology is a very powerful tool of political control, because it shapes who we become, by shaping our habits and knowledge, early on, as we start to go to school – let’s not forget, that when we are in K-12, we spend more time in school, than at home, so what we learn or don’t learn in there, exerts a very powerful effect on our development.
Hey Kyara you explained this topic very well and I like the examples you used.
1. In my view of understanding ideology comes from the term “Idea”. It is a combination of ideas and beliefs that comes from a large group of people. Also, a web of beliefs of how reality works. For example, people can be Ideological just by seeking to the truth. A set of beliefs can say how things should be done according to them. For instance, they would say how the government should be structure or how schools should be thought. In my understanding the ideas and beliefs comes from a group of people and somehow they want to convince others to join their beliefs and share the same ideas as them.
Ideology in other words can be defined as perspective, belief or worldview. Some examples of Ideology would be racism and sexism, liberalism, Christian ism, atheism, capitalism, Islam, Judaism, behaviorism and other sources of other kinds. It is also used to describe an official set of beliefs and ideas associated with a political system. In some of those sources can contain some deep thought but most importantly how people goes about it. I believe that most people can be more ideological about identity. For example, gender, sex race, ethnicity, culture, equality, civil rights, issues pertaining to the core of the truth. Most people assume what is right and wrong or what is good or evil. The more serious an issue is, the more serious people can be ideological about it.
2. Referring back to the content, the difference between conservative and liberal ideology is that liberals believe in the government to take action quick to demonstrate equal opportunity and equality for all. For liberals it is necessary for the government to protect civil liberties and human rights. They usually trust the government to solve problems. Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, free markets and traditional american values. They believe that the government should provide people freedom in order to accomplish their own goals in life. In other words, conservatives are independents and more generally let individuals to solve problems.
3. Ideology in Althusser’s understanding means we have to follow what the school system provide us, which is discipline and how to obey an respect others. That’s the idea when it comes from ideology. An example would be how children as they grow up learn not only how to obey their educators but their siblings and parents too.
I like how you described many of the ideology examples. I also believe that most people should be more ideological towards more important things other then just political views.
Hello Bianka, these are great responses and I liked how you described ideology in your own way by breaking down the word and how it means that a group of people combine with their ideas and beliefs. In question 3 you mention that Althusser’s meaning behind ideology is about school, I agree because they use school as a system that teaches us at an early age. Once we mature we are expected to act based on what school has taught us, if not we are punished for it by society.
Nice approach, Bianka, as you point our attention to the word at the root of “ideology”: Idea and its connection to Truth. Yes, an ideology lays claim to having some “truth” about something in life: the truth about the economy, or our core values, or justice, or what is good and bad…
On Q3: it is interesting how the ideology we are exposed to in school can, and does, at times clash with ideas about truth we learn at home – and that could be a big battle that we have to sort out as we grow up.
1. Ideology to me is a group of “ideas” that form groups of people that have the same ideas or thoughts on politics as another person. These groups then try and convince others who may have the same idea as them and try to persuade them to join a group, or in this module political parties.Some examples of ideology is capitalism, communism, socialism. I believe ideology should be more then just politics . For example sociological ideology is important because its about moreseriouse issues going on in the world today .racism, sexism,ablesim is all a part of sociology ideology. Ideology is a way of getting together to share ideas and beliefs, this then forming groups that will try and find a way to enforce these beliefs and that’s why sometimes we the people In the US get presidents who only care about the government and not the people .
2. The differences between conservatives and liberal ideology in the US is that conservatives are more focused and concerned about the government not the people . while in the other hand liberals are more concerned about the peoples health , equality etc. In the reading it states conservatives “They are not against strong governmentmeasures to restrict dissent, suppress protests, keep us under surveillance, andregulate our private lives and personal morals, as with anti-abortion laws andbans on gay marriage. They generally support harsher police methods, moresevere prison sentences, and more vigorous use of the death penalt.” This means they would like to have a weak movement but at the same time they rather police brutality or as they said “support harsher police method, They rather the death penalty and harsher jail sentences because they like control the like power . Conservatives try to seem like they are for the people but “they make no effort to root out corruption in the business world or protect the environment and lend support to working families”, On the other hand liberals are more for the people, in the reading it states “Many liberals see a need for improving public services and environmental protections; they support minimum-wage laws, unemployment insurance, and other wage supports, along with Social Security, nutritional aid for needy chil-dren, occupational safety, and the like. They say they are for protection of in-dividual rights and against government surveillance of law-abiding political groups.” This shows a big difference in liberals and conservative. Liberals are formed to not only help protect th emviorment but also protect the people and help those in need without a voice to speak up.
3.. Althusser’s defitnition of ideology is that ideology started in school. Ideology in school is basically follow the rules and what they teach you or face discipline . In school your are learning to obey , if you don’t obey there is discipline and that’s where ideology starts. For example in school we are thought to obey rules if not face consequences as you get older students are thought to listen to their elders to follow and listen to what teachers parents and older siblings .
Hey Morayma,
I agree on your second response, you demonstrate well the difference between conservatives and liberal ideology pretty well and detailed.
hey Overall I feel as your responses helped me understand ideology better especially with pointing out the difference between conservatives and liberals. I love your well detailed reponse to question 2 , it gives a clear definiton on the differences between conservatives and liberal ideology.
hi Morayma, not only did i like how well you answered your questions, but you excelled for the fact of how you were able to include U.S presidents as a clear connection to prove the rest. i think it was a great example.
Hi Morayma,
Good insight and logical point of view. This makes me much more aware on how I internalize information. Im curious to know what would happen if we not longer conform to the term “ideology”
Hello Morayma!
Your responses were great. They were clear and understandable. I certainly agree with your second respond. Everything was very well detailed.
Also nice and slightly different approach, Morayma, to make us think about ideology as a “social thing”, a way to group people with similar beliefs about some part of everyday life. This is why ideology plays such a crucial role in politics: it groups people in certain ways, based on shared ideas and beliefs about things that are important to those groups of people: view on what is “good” in society, norms that are shared amongst the group, beliefs about the best way to approach an important social challenge: justice, for example, in the case of a police killing…
Yes, we are all clear on Althusser’s point, that ideology really begins to influence our thinking early on, starting in school.
1.In my own words ideology means the beliefs that groups like political parties or others have. People identify as these political parties because they are for what they represent. Factors that influence a person’s ideology are education, parents political opinions, one’s profit making self interest but are not limited to. These influences reflect a person’s political ideology.
b) One example is a conservative ideology. You are more likely to be a conservative if your parents are conservatives. You believe that the U.S should have a smaller government.
c) I understand ideology as a form of beliefs a person has which is how a person identify’s as. Looking at politics and choosing what is best for you and what you benefit from the most.Things that can influence a persons ideology are gender, race, education, upbringing.
2. I understand the conservative to be a person who believes that the U.S should have a smaller government because they believe it is a threat to their rights. They also don’t want the government to intervene in social issues they want to cut funds for social issues.
A liberal is a person who wants a larger government they want regulations they are for taxing the big corporations. They want funds for social issues where the government helps out as-well. The big difference that I see here is that conservatives want only the rich to keep piling on their money with less taxes. While liberals are more equal they want the government to regulate everything and everybody they want more funds for social issues.
3.How I see Althusser’s definition of ideology is that we are taught at an early age we are taught the discipline where you need to obey , listen, be respectful, because if you don’t you will be in-trouble , they teach us that if you speak out or do other wise you will be in trouble. This was designed to keep everything in place , to keep the people from doing other wise. It is a system that they teach kids.
Good points throughout, Gisselle. If you had to give a specific example, what would be an example of “small government” that conservative ideology believes in?
1) Ideology is a system of ideas and ideals, which also can be known as a set of beliefs or myths. Ideology can also be considered similar to prinicples that people live by. To be more clear, it can be a public opinion, common sense, or something we grew up on. Examples of ideology is, fascism, nationalism, liberalism, anarchism, socialism, communism, conservatism and religion. Ideology gives people something to stand for or believe in, it is choosing an identity that best suits yourself.
2) Conservatives believe they should have a small government because the government poses a threat to their beliefs or their individuality. Conservatives focuses on the free market, traditional values or beliefs and handling things their own way. While liberals believe that the government can help solve bigger problems, they believe the government will create equal opportunity for us all, liberals are all about protecting the people and wanting equal rights.
3) According to Althusser definiton ideology starts within the school system. Little do we know, we are taught ideology from young. In school we are taught personal growth and development . We are learning to obey the rules, and that their are consequences for all misbehaved actions. For example: we are taught to not speak when others are speaking or we will get in trouble, as we get older and go on to high school/college we are already aware that we need to raise our hands before speaking and do not speak while others are speaking.
Hi Jasmine, I like your critical thinking concept. This is definitely an eye opener for me about ideology.
Jasmine, thanks for adding a new word in our thinking about ideology: Myths! Yes, isn’t it true that myths are part of the ideas we have about common sense, beliefs, etc. about how we organize everyday life. The “American Dream” itself, which means different things to different people, is an example of such myth, and a prime example of ideology in our society.
Also, good point on why conservative ideology supports small government: which they feel maximizes their individual freedoms (a core idea of conservative ideology in politics).
On Q3: also, we sit on desks in school, and do group work, just like we would later-on do at our jobs (whether it is in a high tech factory, or the office), the way the school room is arranged anticipates and trains us for our office jobs (or jobs in general). I’m not saying that’s a good thing, but it is important to notice that: education can have many different motivations and goals, and it’s good to be aware of the different purposes our schooling might have for us.
1) In my opinion, the term ideology is simpler than it looks. Thus to explain, ideology is an assortment of ideas, ultimately political, and is used to refer to one’s political identity. These options vary within acknowledging one’s governmental standpoint. Therefore, the individual has the ability to identify themselves as a liberal, conservative, libertarian, socialist, anarchist, and nihilist. Each follows with a grand importance to the term, while the main objective is to adhere to what you believe is significant for your society, which may include one’s opinion on how the government should be run.
B) An example in regards to ideology would vary according to your political beliefs. It is likely to be for the fact of how one is raised as well as the environment in question. Hence, an example of ideology could be feminist beliefs. This would then consider the individual to be seen as a liberal. Liberals are open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values.
C) Additional knowledge that I have gathered in regards to ideology are the 4 main agents that will contribute to our political identity. The list is in concerns to family, social groups, the economic self interest, and the last, gender gap. As i stated above, one’s personal beliefs are extremely impacted with the chances of being placed in the society that is favored or that is likely to manipulate the individual. Among that of the Discourse Theory, it allows a clear understanding within analyzing how knowledge and subjectivity are formed by social practice. The main factor that will impact this is commonly to be the people around you.
2) The manner in which I have understood the differences behind that of liberals and conservatives in U.S politics is by the influence of others’ knowledge. Liberals have resided to that of the left wing while conservatives have gathered to the right. Ultimately, showing the clear division between both parties. It was learned that while conservatives value liberty, liberals will cherish equality. Liberals have known to be open to new behavior or opinions while willing to discard traditional values. On the other hand, conservatives are the opposite. Conservatives refers to an individual who is averse to change and that will hold traditional values and attitudes. The example to prove its differences are shown among those that withhold confederate beliefs or that of racism. Thus, the negative implementation that still has yet to change is a clear presentation of a social group to whom refuse to acknowledge equality.
3) Althusser’s understanding and or definition of ideology is believed to be an important concept for social critique amidst the importance of one’s society. Althusser states, “the question ideology seeks to answer is why people seemingly opted not to act in their best interests.” Among favoring a mutual understanding rather than a divided one, a significant comment is made by Althusser, “ if we’re free then why do we act like we aren’t.” His reasons are followed by our education system within schools. He proceeded to explain that not only are schools used in a manner of learning, but in also trying to internalize and obey ideology. In furthering to grasp knowledge behind this, it is in a sense a manner used to normalize the idea of an authoritarian state. Thus, by projecting fear, what was hoped for is for people to act against their interests. The example is behind learning how to ultimately take orders in a way to transform the community as a whole rather than having opposing sides.
i’m sorry! i made the mistake in the last question of saying that the speaker’s name in the video is Althusser. please ignore that error
this is in regards to the quoted statements by the speaker that i put into my third answer only
Yes, that seems to be the thing that’ s so frustrating about ideology: it can make people act against their own best interests! As such, ideology is an example of power: it changes our behavior even in ways that are against our own interests and desires. That’s a very powerful ability, to shape society that way!
Hello Professor & Classmates
Question#1
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.
Answers:
a). In my opinion the term “ideology” is a bias theory. Poeple are subjected to a set of rules, regulations, ideas, norms, beliefs, and values that was created by the bourgeoisie (capitalist) for the proletariat (workers). It is a set of opinions or beliefs that of a group of individual.
b). An example that illustrating what ideology signifies is the school system. The educational system demonstrates why we should abide by the rules and regulations. The system teaches you to respect authority, when to speak when to raise your hand and not inferfer with your peers. The system basically teaches you not to rebel and to be submissive to anyone in authority.
c). Political parties created a range of ideas and beliefs pertaining to education. “Schools serves as a ideological purpose that the medieval Catholic churches did in the feudal system” The educational system is a perfect example of ideology and how we as human have to conform to rules and regulations and if we refuse to abide by these rules the are repercussion that follows. Like religions the school serves its primary purpose. While the churches teach to conform to resistance when it pertains to homosexuality. The church ideology dictates that gays, homosexuality, adultery to name a few is against the religion and against God’s will and will be punished.
Question#2
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.
Answer:
My interpretation on the term conservatives and liberal ideology in US politics is as follows while liberals hold views on social issues and equality conservatives seek to maintain economic values. Liberals are considered left wings while conservatives are consider right-wing. Liberals are all for equality, abortions, women rights, funding of healthcare and equal opportunity for all. On the other hand conservatives seeks to replace and repel multiples rules put in place to protect people. Theie ideology preaches the virtues of private initiative and self-reliance, it’s like saying only the strong will survive. They are against abortions, women rights, free healthcare to name a few. The main objectives is to preserve a traditional way of life.
The big differences between the conservative and liberals is simple while conservatives adhere to social conservatism, liberals are more likely to be secular. An example is that conservatives is associated with believes that a country should uphold the tradition and custom. They do not believe in a radical change in society. Liberals believe in freedom and equal opportunities. They believe that every individual should have personal freedom rather than being submissive to one type of custom or believes.
Question#3
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.
Answer:
According to Louis Althusser’s his definition of ideology is accepting and conforming to a believe without consciously being aware of it. Ideology is a tool and it invokes order to justify a social way. The schools and churches are a good example. You are thought to obay and every interaction is govern by authority.
Renata, interesting approach to associate ideology with “bias theory”. That makes sense, since a person with a strongly-held ideology is acting in a certain biased way. Of course, I don’t think you mean “bias” here in the negative, as it is not – it just highlights the fact that ideology creates biases that are strongly believed in people. We act on our ideological beliefs, or biases, even if we hear on the news that we shouldn’t be “biased in politics”. That’s basically impossible given we are all influenced by ideology.
yes, great summary on Althusser, when you say that ideology is a tool for justifying a social system of some kind – it is a kind of power in politics, it shapes our society in the interests of those who have the dominant ideology.
Hey Renata I like how you explained your answers, they were very organized and thorough.
1. What ideology is to me is a group people who identify themselves with a particular political party. These people usually side with a party in which they believe share common values with. These political parties are usually Conservatives or Liberals, there is also a small amount of people who chose to be neutral and not pick a certain political party. When you choose a political party, it usually means you agree with what that party can do for your country/government. When growing up you usually choose the political party that your parents have influenced you to believe is the better choice for the country. Stating if your parents are Liberals you tend you grow up being a Liberal. The influence of your parents will make you believe this, unless you choose to learn on your own and make choose your own political party. The way I understand ideology is you find out the arguments that both political parties make and based on those arguments you choose which party suits you best. One you believe will take your country in the direction you want it to go.
2. The way I understand the difference between Conservatives and Liberals are that Conservatives believe that the government should have less interference with our country because they believe that it will take away from our rights. While liberals believe we should have more government interference. They want us all to be equal and have equal rights. They want more for the lower class and think that the lower class people should have just as much privilege as the upper class. Also along with rights, Conservatives do not believe in abortion, because they are more conservative and believe that abortion is against Gods will. All while Liberals think that women should have a say of what goes on with their bodies despite their religious background. Forcing women to have children when they are not ready or under crucial circumstances
takes away their rights. If a women is sexually abused, and happen to get pregnant. If this woman does not want to have this child, because they will be constantly reminded of their past. They should not be forced to have this child. Liberals in fact believe that we should have equal rights and taking this away from women will strip them of their right to choose what they would like to do with their bodies.
3. The way I understand Althussers definition of ideology is that we are taught at an early age to obey and listen to our elders, like parents, educators, etc. If we do not listen their are consequences. For example we are taught to do our homework if we don’t we will get into trouble or fail a class. Another we are taught not to be late to school, if we are we will get detention. We are taught that there are consequences to all of our actions. And we are taught that from when we are born all the way to adulthood.
i agree with your in definiton of ideology its helping me understanding alot of better
Alyssa, yes, ideology is definitely identified with specific political parties as well! That’s another good point we should keep in mind. The Democratic Party is government by a set of ideas, which form a system of beliefs (an ideology of their version of liberal politics), which motivates what they say, think and how they act in politics (say against the Republicans).
Good use of examples in Q2 on the differences between liberal and conservative ideologies.
1.
a) An ideology in a political context is an umbrella term and concept used to categorize a group of political views and beliefs similar to each other. Ideologies are the baseline for which people identify themselves politically against and in support of other peoples and ideas in accordance with a political, social, and economic ideal. All ideologies under the traditional political spectrum are divided into four sections that are separated into an economic and political axis, which define broadly how extreme someone is from the political “center” or moderate.
b) An example of ideology are ideologies such as Fascism, Communism, Capitalism, etc. Each of these ideologies are a broad representation of a persons main political statement, and each have their own subdivisions that are focused on specific economic, political, and social issues that are respective to their ideology. For example, in a Communism, you have Socialists, Democratic Socialists, Anarcho-Communists, Leninists, Trotskyists, etc. While all these subdivisions of Communism differ from one another, they still fall under the general umbrella of Communism as defined by leading Communist theorists like Karl Marx6.
c) Ideology is also characterized by the nation it originates from, as ideologies such as Conservatism, Republicanism, Liberalism, etc. have different meanings and values than they do in other nations. For example, despite sharing a common name and virtues, Spanish Republicanism is different from American Republicanism in that many of its characteristics pertained to the governance of the country of Spain specifically and was broader in terms of the support and audience it appealed to, such as appealing to right-wing and left-wing Spaniards.
2) The differences between Conservatives and Liberals in the political system of the United States, revolves around the pursuit of the ultimate goal of civil liberties and freedom, for both Conservatives and Liberals have contrasting methods of securing it. As a broad generalization, American Conservatives believe true freedom can be achieved by the ideal of private property and private enterprise, and the empowerment of local state governments to represent the local population. In contrast, American Liberals in a broad sense believe true freedom can be achieved by the ideal of an empowered national government that acts as both a welfare state for impoverished citizens, and as a policing agent/counter to large corporations and businesses that undermine smaller local businesses and the general populace. Aside from other nuances, traits, and differences, these are the essentials of modern Liberal and Conservative American mainstay in a political and economic spectrum.
3) Althusser’s definition of ideology stems from the belief that it’s a means of teaching newer generations of citizens of any given society into obedient cogs that work in service of the state. Althusser makes the claim that one of the ultimate instruments of ideology is through schools, where methods of social control, order, and obedience is the modus operandi for which every student is subjected to, and expected to follow
Yosef, nice approach in pointing out that ideologies can have sub-divisions within them – and it can get pretty complicated. Indeed, Spanish Republicanism is very different from what we call Republicans in the US, as is Chinese approaches to communist ideology, when compared to say, Cuba. It is interesting to keep track of such differences, because they are real, and without being aware of them, one can slip into generalizations and misunderstandings about a particular society’s politics.
In my own words ideology is ones opinion or their beliefs political beliefs whether they or liberal or conservative. A system of ideas and ones beliefs on the government. It depends on what side they choose to be on and what topic is making you choose a side but ofcourse people on one side would try to persuade the other side to join their side this is the understanding that i have of ideology. An example would be the black lives matter movement we have the black lives matter side then we have the all lives matter side . The black lives matter side strongly feel that there needs to be change because of the unfairness of how black people have been getting treated on the other hand the all lives matter group feel that even if this happened all lives still matter . THEY dont feel that anything should change because “all” lives matter. Based on ones ideolgy one person connects that to their political view on what they feel should happen and if government should take action or not.
2- Liberal and conservative are on two different sides and the big line tat divides them is liberals feel that the governement should fully be envolved to have equality for all but the conservatives feel that they should have personal responsibility and that the overnment shouldnt be involves. So the concept of liberal and conservative is who feels that the governemt should have less or more involvement. When it comes to certain topics such as abortion liberalsfeel that its the womens body and they should have the right to decide what they want to do with their body but conservatives feel that is MURDER! Thungs like this can actually effect if you are liberal and conservative because vbased on howyou fel about the topic will reveal itself ! Forcing a women to have their chidl when their maybe arent financially stable takes away the rights of a women an to my understanding we shoud all be equal if its up to the liberals .
3-Althussers defintion of ideology teaches us that we learned ideology as kids without even noticing thats the system was set up for this as in ideology its your beliefs and you have to pick a side. In school we learn our right from wrongs and if we do wrong there is a consequence and from elemetary school and on you were basically trained to know whats right and wrong in a.classroom such s raising your hand when you want to speak you should already know that as adults in college .
Great point on how we learned ideology as kids, without even noticing it! Indeed, and if it happened that way, that means we were subjected to really powerful ideology. Some say that as adults, we can learn to ignore of abandon ideologies we’ve learned as kids. Do you think that’s possible? I’m optimistic that it does happen, but maybe not as easily as one might think?
2. Both conservative and liberal ideology have different beliefs and basic foundations that distinguish each apart. Each person has their own political opinion which can be referred to social groups and they all come from four main agents that give to our political identities. Conservative’s believe that a large government is a threat to liberty and therefore prefer a smaller government rather than a larger one. They prefer to spend money on the military while leaving other expenses up to the private sector to reduce their spending which means lowering taxes. They also highly appreciate patriotic values and demands. Liberals on the other hand believe that the government should play a big role in society. They involve themselves more such as protecting the environment and taxing higher to the wealthy to pay for these types of things. White Catholics and low-income white voters tend to be more on the conservative side, rather than liberal, based on social groups. Latinos, African Americans, and Jewish voters tend to be more on the liberal side based on social groups based on benefits they receive. The difference between conservative and liberals is that conservatives stand for liberty while liberals stand for equality.
Nice summary on the differences between liberal and conservative ideology.
1. Ideology is the beliefs of a group or just one individual. I feel as though ideologies are use greatly with politics. Ideologies help create what they really stand for, it gives them identification. Everyone has their own ideas and believes that they use to help them live their every day life style even of others may not agree with it. These ideologies help us make the decisions we make whether those around us like it or not. An example of an ideology is racism. A lot of people have their own beliefs towards racism some people believe that it needs to stop and others don’t see it as a problem to racially discriminate someone. The way I understood ideology was to political views and the world we live in today how everyone is very opinionated.
2. I understand the difference between conservative and liberal ideology and US politics because conservatives believe in limited government while liberals Believe we need equal opportunities. That seems to be the major difference, conservativesWant a weak government but a strong authoritarian state. They support harsh police methods meanwhile liberals want to improve environment protection public services, and our society. Conservatives lean towards the government and liberals lean towards the people, they want everyone to have a quality and have the same benefits.
Want a weak government but a strong authoritarian state. They support harsh police methods meanwhile liberals want to improve environment protection public services, and our society. Conservatives lean towards the government and liberals lean towards the people, they want everyone to have a quality and have the same benefits.
3. Tell me Althussers definition seemed as though he stressed the fact that ideology started in school, because in school you get taught how to think and how to do certain tasks and you get taught to follow certain instructions. Not only that but how you treat those around you, it’s rules you grow up with, that you may carry with you as you get older.
Very clear on the difference between liberals and conservatives in the US, and I like the sentence where you write: “weak government but a strong authoritarian state”.
It sounds like a contradiction, but politics is based on contradictions.
1. A Ideology is an allowance of faith based expectations or ways of thinking ascribed to an individual or gathering of people, particularly as held for reasons that are not absolutely epistemic, in which “useful components are as unmistakable as hypothetical ones. Belief system can be communicated as a dream for fate or the like which is normally an interest for change. It very well may be a change as in financially socially or just to society as a rule.
2. A case of philosophy can be the belief system of racists, bigotry frequently arrives in a type of nailing awful generalizations and wrongdoings to a specific gathering of individuals. Just with the reason to deprecate and corrupt them, causing them to feel as not exactly human or not exactly meriting essential human conventionality.
3.The way I can remember and help others remember what Ideology is as what a gathering of individuals depend on and what their convictions advance. This can be either antagonistic or positive relying upon the gathering of individuals. Philosophy of a gathering can be demonstrated obviously relying upon what sort of propaganda they are putting out to depict a big motivator for them and what they are about as a gathering of individuals.
Very nice and poetically-expressed ideas about ideology!
2. I comprehend the distinction among moderate and liberal philosophies as a gathering of individuals who are paying special mind to themselves, and a gathering of individuals who are ensuring everybody is given similar open doors as anyone else. Traditionalists have confidence in a great deal of silly thoughts like the possibility that needy individuals are basically simply apathetic and are poor since absence of difficult work. They don’t need the administration to assist with bringing down class individuals, crippled individuals, the older, and individuals who are out of luck. Dissidents have confidence in free medical care, free training, free psychological wellness outlets, burdening the rich, police change, and the administration utilizing their influence to assist lower classes and minorities.
3. Althusser’s meaning of ideology is the primary thought behind an association. Utilizing the case of tutoring, in spite of the fact that school is to show scholarly things, the philosophy of school is to implement training and figure out how to obey authority without addressing. A model utilized in the video is the manner by which since early on we are instructed to share, obey instructors and lift our hands when addressed.
Indeed, which raises difficult questions about schooling and schools. On one hand, the school is ground-zero for indoctrination and the preparation of young people to become willing servants of the powerful. On the other hand, if the dominant ideology can be subverted at all, a good place for it is in the school – thus, the school (and the university) s a prime political battleground!
1. a) Describe what ideology is in a brief paragraph (in your own words).
Ideology is how people explain their political tendencies, with their chosen dogma, the ideal relationship between the environment and the people. Common political ideologies include leftist, centrist, and rightist ideologies. Right-wing supporters are conservative, capitalist, and reactionary, advocating for minimal government regulation in business, opposition to minimum wage laws, and is often populated by the elite. On the contrary, leftists are liberal, supportive of social change, as well as egalitarianism. Leftists define themselves as ideology-driven and are often critical of one another on accusations of ideology impurity. The center attempts to harmonize the two extremes, cherry-picking aspects from each dimension, to create a dynamic ideology in response to the current political climate.
B) Give an example illustrating what you wrote in (a).
An example of ideology in everyday operation is the democratic campaign for the party ticket in the 2016 primaries. The leading candidates for the party ticket, Bernie Sanders and Hilary Clinton, differed on ideological bases, with each critical of the other’s propositions. Sanders based his campaign against the wealthy and corporate America in his energetic bid for the ticket. However, Clinton was unconvinced of the liberal convictions of her rival, questioning whether restructuring corporate America would offer solutions to problems such as sexism, domestic violence, and racism, among other social considerations. While the two aspirants held many ideological similarities, they differed on important considerations, such as commitment to the basic tenets of liberal politics.
C) Write another paragraph (or two), explaining to your reader with additional details, how you understand ideology.
Political ideology is thus the political opinions held by the people, and implemented through representative leadership. For instance, in the United States, the socioeconomic opinions held by most people are more progressive than the positions adopted by political leaders, as well as right-wing political observers. The progressive ideas that find favor with the public include increased funding for social welfare, a reduction in the price of prescription medicines, and support for nursing homes. Past administrations have failed to address these issues, showing a disconnect between leadership and the people.
2. How do you understand the difference between conservative and liberal ideology in US politics? What seems to be the big differences, the dividing line? Given an example to back up your arguments. Hint: try to identify keywords (concepts) that play a big role in making someone consider themselves as liberal or conservative. Then, explain in your own words what those keywords (concepts) mean.
Conservative ideology in the United States advocates the gospel of self-sufficiency. People in this ideological setting believe that the private sector always works better than the private sector. Conservatives consider an effective government as one that is stripped to the bare minimum, as well as one with minimal interference on socio-economic life. Conservatives are mostly the elite, and seemingly seek the preservation of lifestyle by the rich. While conservatism may favor a stripped government, they advocate a strong state, showing their support for the use of force in dispersing protestors and maintaining a strict police state. Individual rights under a conservative conception call for the protection of property rights and the right to make a profit off the efforts of others, all in maintaining the benefits of a privileged class of people. On the contrary, liberals are in support of legislation that helps protect the environment, improve labor practices, minimum wages, gender and racial equality, as well as social security. Liberals are often differentiated by the aspects of liberalism they incorporate, where progressives support the replacement of the capitalist system with a system of government ownership of means of production. Contrarily, liberal centrists may support capitalism and globalization, in the belief that it benefits everyone. Further, centrists may support a strong military and international military campaign if there is a feeling that the country is fighting an identified evil.
3. How do you understand Althusser’s definition of ideology? Paraphrase it in your own words. Give an example. Hint: you may have to watch the second video again, and find the few places where Althusser’s position is presented. What is a Repressive State Apparatus? Why does Althusser call it “repressive”? Can we explain his choice of words here? Give an example.
Althusser defines ideology as the imaginary correlation of people to their circumstances of existence. A country’s governance is controlled by representatives from the most dominant ideology among the people, and thus its state apparatus is set up to institute its demands, as well as punish those who reject the dominant ideology. Repressive state apparatus consists of the police, the army, judiciary, and the prison system, and it is designed to advance the interests of the ruling class over the other lower classes. Althusser considers the state apparatus as repressive, given their use of coercive means to advance their agenda. The ideological state apparatus comprises institutions that advance ruling class ideology, thus preparing learners to be exploited by the ruling classes.
I noticed that I answered the question of the next discussion board at the end, I was answering the two discussions in the same document, but I put the questions together without even realizing it, my apologies for that.