Ideology blog tasks

Part 1: BBC Question Time analysis

1) What examples of binary opposition can you suggest from watching this clip?

In this clip we see certain examples of binary opposition such as: 

-Pro vs Anti immigration

-Rich vs Poor 

-Left wing (Brand) vs Right wing (Farage) 

2) What ideologies are on display in this clip?

In this clip we can see certain ideologies on display such as: 

-Taxing the rich: bankers bonus

-Lowering immigration 

-Immigration being the reason as to why the UK's economy is doing bad. 

-UK's economy doing bad due to big banks and corrupt politicians and accountants. 

Part 2: Media Magazine reading

Page 34: The World Of Mockingjay: Ideology, Dystopia And Propaganda

1) Read the article and summarise it in one sentence.

In the Hunger Games series there is a dystopian representation of a capitalist society. The mockingjay story revolves around organising and connecting in other ways, such as citizen journalism, social media, and use of symbols. 

2) What view of capitalist ideology is presented in the Hunger Games films?

The Games serve to keep the districts under control, as punishment for previous rebellions, and to warn them to stay in line (the ruling class keep the poor under control) Armies of 'peacekeepers' are sent to control each district and to punish anyone who tries to defy the authority, whilst providing them with so little money that many are forced to break strict rules in order to keep their families alive. This physical withdrawal of the means to survive, combined with the public abuse of those that step out of line are 'civic state apparatuses.' 

3) What do the Hunger Games films suggest about the power of the media to shape and influence ideological beliefs?

President Snow spreads fear among the districts through propaganda and the media mainly using constant repeats of previous 'Hunger Games' and airing the current ones live on TV to distract the masses from organising a revolution. At the beginning of the 'Hunger Games' Katniss was merely aware of the media surrounding her, but she is now learning how to manipulate them. 

Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

1) What are the four accepted ideological beliefs in western societies highlighted by the article?

-Good should overcome evil

-Law is better than disorder

-Pleasure is a goal in life 

2) What does Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggest about power and ideology in society?

Gramsci defined hegemony as an important way in which those in power maintain their control through consent, rather than the use of force. Gramsci argued that the power of ideology derives from ideas and structures which support and serve the purpose of an elite social group which is able to dominate through ideas. 

3) What does French theorist Louis Althusser suggest about ideology and consumerism?

Althusser's view was that ideology is the greatest material power and dominates our day to day lives through two key forms of control:

1- Repressive State Control,  through the major institutions of society – the Government, Army, Police, Courts, etc. – which are dominated by the ruling elite. These state agencies regulate social behaviour and repress the masses through violence, punitive law, and fear.

2- ‘Ideological State Apparatuses’ (ISAs), such as the Church, the media, educational institutions, the family unit etc. These looser institutions control and dominate implicitly through ‘common sense’ acceptance and social norms, rather than through fear. This echoes Gramsci’s concept of hegemony, by which ideology’s power derives primarily from consent as opposed to the use of force.

4) Do YOU agree with the idea behind They Live - that we are unthinkingly controlled by the media which is run in the interests of the economic elite? These are the big questions of A Level Media!

I agree with the idea that we are being controlled by the media however it all depends on the person depending on how often they use social media etc., how dependent they are on it, and what ideologies and beliefs they have and to what extent they will allow for themselves to be unthinkingly controlled.