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?

Conservative and liberal values,  hate and Love 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.

People who have power control ideas and resources while propaganda and the media use TV to distract the masses. They can be used to encourage people to act in certain ways and which makes the media  often overlooked as is manipulates the ignorant.

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?

Illustrates how the media has a huge role to play in how things can be presented. It also shows how the media can influence individuals to unite under common principles and beliefs while also being able to develop radical ideas that are easily able to spread throughout the population.

Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

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

Money is happiness,  consumer goods is fulfilment, marriage/family/children is happiness, obedience/Work is fulfilment

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

His idea of hegemony communicates how as long as people are happy and fulfilled they will be able to passively accept ideology that is imposed upon. This also includes ideology as it is controlled by the wealthy and elite class. 

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

He suggests that ideology is the greatest material power and dominates our lives through two key forms of control. One is Repressive State Control, also known as ‘Repressive State Apparatuses’ the Government, Army, Police, Courts, etc, which are dominated by the ruling elite. They regulate social behaviour and repress the masses through violence, punitive law, and fear. The other one is ‘Ideological State Apparatuses’ the Church, the media, educational institutions, the family unit etc. These institutions control and dominate through ‘common sense’ acceptance and social norms, rather than fear. This shows 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 somewhat believe with this statement as us as consumers are constantly exposed to people who intend to influence us with their own messages of beliefs or ideologies. This increases our own consumption forcing us to purchase things that we want instead of need. However, sometimes we are more active to these messages and rather less passively accepting them making our very own decision towards this. This helps us understand and act as a reminder towards how we are daily exposed to these kind of manipulation in our society where we are forced to accept whatever is shown to us. Making careful and conscious decisions in this life is important to stay away from the media that controls us as it is powered by the elite people who want to be able to control us through screens.