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Ideological state apparatusInterpellationLearning Objectives:To consider the dominance of an elite group in societyTo understand ideological state apparatusLouis Althusser andThe dominance of the Ruling Classes

Louis Althusser andThe dominance of the Ruling ClassesStarter Discuss with your partner: Who are the most influential people in society?

Extension How would you become more powerful? Would society trust you?

Influential able to affect the thoughts and behaviours of others

Ruling EliteMajority of the populationMargins of SocietyMargins of SocietyMajority of the populationCircles of Power and InfluenceDominant GroupSubordinate GroupSubordinate GroupAlthusser says

GEARSDominant GroupSubordinate GroupGenderMenWomenEthnicityWhite BritishEthnic minoritiesAgeAdult / Middle-agedTeens / Young people / The elderlyRegion / NationalityLondon / Home countiesNorthern UK, poorer inner city areasSocio-economic backgroundMiddle Class / Upper Middle ClassWorking Class / UnderclassSexualityHeterosexualLGBT

*This is not a definitive list. There are obviously thousands of notable exceptions. However, statistics do support these generalisations.Influence and power over society using GEARS

High Court Judges15% are women5% are from ethnic minorities

CEO Boardmembers at FTSE 100 companies17% are women6% are from ethnic minoritiesMinisters of Parliament4 out of 23 cabinet ministers are women1 out of 23 ethnic minority cabinet ministers

Influence and power over society using GEARS

Media OwnershipWomen comprise 51% of the UK populationOnly 8% of media companies in the UK are owned by women

Ethnic minorities comprise of 13% of the UK populationOnly 3% of media companies in the UK have ethnic minority ownersInfluence and power over society using GEARS

Louis Althusser

So how does the ruling elite maintain this power and influence?Why doesnt the subordinate class rise up and re-take power?

Althusser says that subordinate groups are kept in their place through: Repressive State Apparatus (RSA)Apparatus that are able to physically control the population

The Police The Government The Army

Ideological State Apparatus (ISA)Apparatus that are able to mentally influence the population

Education Family ReligionPopular CultureMedia

Althussers State Apparatus

Althussers State Apparatus Althusser says that subordinate groups are kept in their place through: Ideological State Apparatus (ISA)Apparatus that are able to mentally influence the population

Education Family ReligionPopular CultureMedia

How do the ISAs help maintain the dominance of the ruling class?Which apparatus has the most influence on you?How much is your identity influenced by the media?

Discuss these questions in groups of three.Be prepared to feed back to the class.

Althussers State Apparatus How do the ISAs help maintain the dominance of the ruling class?Which apparatus has the most influence on you?How much is your identity influenced by the media?

Discuss these questions in groups of three.Be prepared to feed back to the class.

What makes an identity?

Beliefs / ValuesThoughts and FeelingsLanguagePersonalityClothing / Style

Ideological State Apparatus (ISA)

Education | Family | Religion | Popular Culture | Media

InterpellationEach of the ISAs play their part in a process Althusser called Interpellation.

Interpellation is when individuals recognise themselves as having a particular identity / being part of a particular social group.

Task: Write a summary of Althussers ideas. You must use the following words in your summary Repressive state apparatusIdeological state apparatusRuling classInterpellation

Task: Write a summary of Althussers ideas. You must use the following words in your summary Ruling class / Ruling eliteRepressive state apparatusIdeological state apparatusInterpellation

Extension: Do you agree with Althusser? Why? Can you see any problems with this theory? Explain them.

ShamelessHow are working class people being represented?

How can you apply Louis Althussers theory of interpellation?

Do you think this representation has affected the identity of working class people in a way that represses them?