Ideology

Blog tasks: 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?

-Pro vs Anti immigration
-Rich vs Poor 
-Left wing (Brand) vs Right wing (Farage) 

2) What ideologies are on display in this clip?

-Conservative, Liberal, Socialist, Immigration restriction.

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.

-Dystopian representation of capitalist society in the latest Hunger Games film and the series as whole.

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?

-Shows how the media has a huge role to play in how things can be shown and presented to audiences.

Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

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

-People should put their families first.
-People should work hard for their money.
-Women should behave in feminine ways, and look after their appearance.

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 
2- ‘Ideological State Apparatuses’ (ISAs), such as the Church, the media, educational institutions, the family unit

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 to some extend that we are unthinkingly controlled by the media, however it depends on what side of the media a person is on, for example an individual can be on a more violent and aggressive side of the media making them have then same thoughts and opinions but a person that is on a happy and positive side will also be a positive person overall.

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