Andrew Wells, Post-class 3/17/10 Marx and Althusser

Upon opening my book to page 33 in the Critical and culture theory reader I saw in all caps the word IDEOLOGY. The first thing that came to mind was, "Oh I know this! Why do I need to read this again since I just learned it a semester ago." I strongly retracted my last statement as I began the chapter. It was obvious to me what ideology meant. According to the book the "definition of ideology would contrast it with the notion of ideas" (C, 33). The chapter went more in depth than just state the definition and its use. It explained how Carl Marx began the theory and the history behind it. On page 34 it explained how ideology is used as an expression of class interest. The example used was the references of ideology with Britain and the labour party or the conservative party. About two paragraphs down on page 34 the issue of the falseness of ideology is brought up. "Is Ideology simply 'false consciousness', an illusion, albeit one its proponents share in through self-deception, and so possibly opposed to the true knowledge objectivity obtained by science?" (C, 34). To that I do not no the answer. In fact I think its a bold statement.

Another topic that arose In this week's reading was the subject on (ISA) Ideological State Apparatuses on page 42. First, what are the ISA's? According to Louis Althusser, the ISA is the method by which organizations propagate ideology. The ISA contrast with the Repressive State Apparatus (RES) in that it produces willing compliance. Althusser continues by saying that Ideology is a 'representation' of the imaginary relationship of individuals to their real condition of existence. {what i think he means} By this he means that we are constantly at watch by something higher than us and forced to be in the idea of society at certain person/idea. This leads me to his other statement: Ideology interpellates individuals as subjects. What I understand from this is that we are all categorized into certain genres in life. Either we're poor or rich. Nice or mean. Gothic or preppy. Successful or loser.