Blog tasks: Ideology

 

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

One binary opposition is that Nigel believes that we are running out of space and the NHS/our main hospitals are being overwhelmed however the opposite to this is Russel's view as he believes that we should let in more refugees and instead of blaming refugees those with power and wealth should be blamed. Another example would be Politics vs being a celebrity, this can be seen in the clip as Nigel knows what he is talking about as he has first hand experience in politics and how everything works in the UK whereas Russel is a celebrity meaning he has limited knowledge of the whole situation regarding overpopulation due to refugees.

2) What ideologies are on display in this clip?

One ideology which can be seen in this clip is capitalism, another ideology is libertarianism.

 

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

 

An article which focuses on the controversial, thought-provoking and hugely successful show (The hunger games trilogy).

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

 

The view of a capitalist ideology can be seen through the fact that every year children are forced into killing each other until only one remains, this game serves in order to keep districts under control and in order to keep a clear and concise divide between the rich and the poor. This idea can be explored further through the fact that people are given little to no money.

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

The hunger game films exposes a severe and prevalent issue within society which is that the media has the ability to completely alter and change ones or a group of peoples lives. This can be seen through the film through the "peacekeepers" which are only in place to keep the poor poor and the rich rich which ensures that power is delivered to the top of the chain similar to how a hegemony works.

 

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

The four accepted beliefs are that one should put their families first, they should work hard for their money, women should behave in a feminine way and they should look after their appearance.

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

Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggests that we as a society now are being obedient and acceptance towards obedience is increasing. This can be seen through factors such as consuming, marrying and reproducing. This reveals a divide in society where the rich and the poor have completely different levels of power. The poor assume that they have control and free will when in reality every little action they do is controlled by the government ie the food we eat.

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

Althusser suggests that ideology has a material existence and he says the quote "an ideology always exists in an apparatus, and its practice, or practices".  Furthermore he backs up his view by saying that ideologies are manifested through actions.

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 strongly agree with the idea behind They Live because I think it perfectly encapsulates a major issue within society which is that hegemony exists and there are clear class divides. This can be seen whenever there is an emergency and the rich and powerful are always evacuated first with little to no regards to the working class which is most of society even though the working class is a main reason as to why countries have become the way they are food wise, infrastructure wise etc. We may have little choice and power and freedom however this is completely stripped away through limitations and especially propaganda within society. This can be seen within the movie They Live through labels such as "Marry, Reproduce, Consume". I believe also that there is a clear economic elite within society which milk the working class for labour and money so that they can reep the benefits. The education system is also a form of "slavery" as it essentially is a way for the government to create more skilled workers so that they can drain them until they retire for low pay high taxes etc.