Theories of Ideology

Question 1

Marx (most important force)

Answer 1

The most important force in society is class conflict between the worker and the ruling class

Question 2

Marx and Engels

Answer 2

The ideas that a society lives by are the ideas of that society’s ruling class

Question 3

Marx (revolution)

Answer 3

If workers were allowed to notice the unfairness of society they’d revolt

Question 4

Marx (ruling-class ideology)

Answer 4

Only the ruling class has an ideology because only they have the need to create illusions

Question 5

Gramsci (hegemony)

Answer 5

Gramsci calls the domination of ruling-class ideology in society ‘hegemony’

Question 6

Gramsci (ruling-class ideology)

Answer 6

The ruling class’ ideology becomes entrenched in all areas of social life

Question 7

Althusser

Answer 7

Says elements of society like the education system, mass media and religion were Ideological State Apparatuses (ISAs)

Question 8

Mannheim

Answer 8

Ideology can be defined in two ways:
A set of beliefs used to justify and perpetuate existing social order
A uptopian set of beliefs about how the world could be organised in the future