Louis Althusser's Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses

Louis Althusser, a Marxist philosopher, introduced the concept of Ideological State Apparatuses (ISAs) to explain how society maintains power structures. ISAs, like education, media, and family, shape our beliefs and values, effectively controlling how we think. Unlike the Repressive State Apparatus, which uses force (like police), ISAs subtly influence us through ideology, making us accept societal norms as natural. This process helps reproduce the ruling class's dominance by shaping individuals' identities and behaviors, thus perpetuating existing power relations without explicit oppression. Understanding ISAs allows us to critically engage with the social systems that influence our thoughts and actions.