Ideologies 

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

• Rich and poor 
• Left/ right wing
• immigrants and emigrant

What ideologies are on display in this clip?

• Immigrants are taking up everything.
• taxing the rich- bankers
• lowering immigration 

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 Mocking-jay: Ideology, Dystopia And Propaganda

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

The hunger games is filled with propaganda and middle class people with power of working class.

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

The Hunger Games presents an unfavourable image of capitalism since it demonstrates the influence the wealthy have over the underprivileged. It highlights how those in positions of authority are capable of controlling everything.

3) What do the Hunger Games films suggest about the power of the media to shape and influence ideological beliefs?This idea of a ‘counter-hegemonic’ struggle advancing alternatives to dominant ideas of what is normal and legitimate –has had broad appeal in social and political movements.

The protagonists learn how to influence the media to favour them, demonstrating that the media doesn't present the unfiltered truth but rather someone's point of view.

Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

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

• behave in feminine ways
• consumer goods 
• marriage and family 
• work hard for their money.

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

Gransci defined hegemony as an important way in which those in power maintain their control through consent, rather than the use of force. He argued that the 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:

• Ideological state apparatus: use methods other than physical violence to achieve the same objectives as RSA. They may include educational institutions (e.g. schools), media outlets, churches, social and sports clubs and the family.
• Repressive state apparatus: includes "the Government, the Administration, the Army, the Police, the Courts, the Prisons, etc.". These are the agencies that function "by violence," by at some point imposing punishment or privation in order to enforce power.

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 with the premise of They Live that we are mindlessly under the control of a media that serves the interests of the financial elite. This is because the ruling class continuously takes advantage of us in order to maintain capitalism, an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production by a particular minority known as the Bourgeoise.