Sociology: Marxism - ideological state apparatus

Hi,
We were doing Marxism in class last week, and I get most of it apart from this:

"Each institution performs functions for the maintenance of Capitalist society - but not necessary for the individual. Institutions of the superstructure are part of the Ideological state apparatus - maintain the state ideologically (legitimation.)"

I sort of get what it means, but can someone explain to me, and if they can give reference to the family, what an ideological state apparatus is?
Thanks,
Nicki

Reply 1

Podge

8

ideological state apparatus is : where a social instituion can control our ideology(our ideas and beliefs) e.g religion, media, education.

e.g religion, we believe abortion is wrong, the mass media- the nuclear family

Reply 2

Peacey

7

Althusser argues that...

Repressive State Apparatus control the population through force - these would include institutions such as the army and police

Ideological State Apparatus control through coercion, or manipulating the way people think - and would include institutions such as education, religion, media and family

(so the question is technically wrong, some institutions are ideological - others are repressive).

In terms of the family, think about the values and norms it transmits - behave yourself, respect your elders, work hard, etc. You might also point to the way it keeps the proletariat dependent on their employers; they can't revolt as they are reliant on cash-wages to support their family.

See also Marxist-Feminism.

Reply 3

NickiM

OP

14

I think I get it, I'll ask my teacher tomorrow if I don't by the end of tomorrow's lesson. Peacey - just registering for your site :smile:

Reply 4

Peacey

7

NickiM

I think I get it, I'll ask my teacher tomorrow if I don't by the end of tomorrow's lesson. Peacey - just registering for your site :smile:

What username have you used? I'll upgrade you to a full account

Reply 5

NickiM

OP

14

Peacey

What username have you used? I'll upgrade you to a full account

Sorry, only just seen this, will PM you.

Reply 6

tis_me_lord

14

Well the most important thing in society according to marxists is the economy i.e. capitalism, and Marx called this the 'infastructure'.

All other institutions like religion, family, education, media are less important and called the 'superstructure' and their only purpose really is the make capitalism seem legitimate. In the family people are brought up and socialised into thinking work is good, and being deviant is bad, etc...

Reply 7

bethalaa

Ideological state apparatus is ways in which the dominant ideological group can maintain their position of power through institutions. For example, education, family, military, media etc. In terms of the family...
The family is our source of primary socialization. now the other institutions such as the media show us ideologies of what is wrong and right in terms of the family. So our parents are influenced on how to bring us up in order to fit into society, such as norms and values.

Reply 8

A_A KhAn

Hi,
Can someone give a criticism to the ideological state apparatus theory of reproducing social class and inequality
Plz and thank u

Reply 9

Vav Sartrean Po

18

It's basically how Capitalists use Ideology (brainwashing) in every sector of society, i.e. through family (marxist feminist view example): the man has to work to support his family (bread winner) and the mother will be looking after the kids. Kids may see this and believe that this is normal. Also there are tons of stuff like how the wives/mothers are the takers of s--t in the family and how the male will come home, shout/moan about work - leading to them not rebelling and releasing all of their work anger out on their wives. The evaluative flaw in marxist feminism is that the only solution is a capitalist revolution, which would lead to communism.

Sociology: Marxism - ideological state apparatus

Related discussions

Articles for you