Ideology

Ideology

Part 1: BBC Question Time analysis

          

Watch this clip from BBC Question Time with Russell Brand and Nigel Farage. The BBC deliberately placed the two against each other and the episode resulted in far more people than usual watching and reacting on social media.

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

Values that are both liberal and conservative, love and hate for Nigel Farage, support and neglect. 

2) What ideologies are on display in this clip?

Conservative, Liberal, Socialist, Immigration restriction, Social welfare

Part 2: Media Magazine reading

Media Magazine issue 52 has two good articles on Ideology. You need to read those articles (our Media Magazine archive is here) and complete a few short tasks linked to them. 

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

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

The media is frequently disregarded but is used to manipulate others and the naive. Propaganda and the media use TV to divert the public and can be used to persuade individuals to act in particular ways. Those in positions of power control ideas and resources.

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

The control of ideas and resources as well as making sure the person is trapped there forever which can include the suffering of others.

3) What do the Hunger Games films suggest about the power of the media to shape and influence ideological beliefs?
This demonstrates the significant influence that the media has on the presentation of ideas. It also demonstrates how the media has the power to create radical ideas that are quickly adopted by the general public in addition to inspiring people to come together behind shared values and views.

Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

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

• Money = Happiness

• Consumer goods = Fulfilment

• Marriage/Family/Children = Happiness

• Obedience/Work= Fulfilment

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

Power of ideology derives primarily from ideas and structures which support, and thus serve the purpose of, an elite social group which is able to dominate through ideas, rather than militaristic strength or fear. 

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

His 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, also known as ‘Repressive State Apparatuses’ (RSAs) 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.
• ‘Realise your true potential,’ ‘Be yourself,’ ‘Lead a satisfying life.’ These values, suggesting the importance of the individual, and self-fulfilment, are dominant in the West, and closely linked with the ideology of consumerism, which arguably dominates and drives society.

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!

In my opinion, I agree that we are unthinkingly controlled by the media which is run in the interests of the economic elite. Nowadays people are addicted to their phones, and when they see popular influencers do certain trends, then people tend to copy them.