Ideology: further reading and tasks

MM52

Page 34: The World Of Mockingjay: Ideology, Dystopia And Propaganda

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

That they control the media and in turn control what the public sees and believes. It expresses how 'president snow' believes in his leadership more than the country's people which may be reflecting current America and Capitalism in general. According to the 'marxist theroy' people always find a way to rebel again and resist power through things such as citizen journalism and social media. Mockingjay expresses how the media can be used for propaganda. 

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

The hunger games stresses a huge impact that the media has on our ideological beliefs. This can either be done through how the government and people in power manipulate the media to only portray and hope for a dominant reading and in turn manipulate what the public sees but also how individuals can use the power of the media, from smaller platforms such as social media to rebel against dominant ideologies and express your own alternative ones. 

Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

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.
or,
• Money = Happiness
• Consumer goods = Fulfillment 
• Marriage/Family/Children = Happiness

• Obedience/Work= Fulfillment

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

Being obedient, consuming, marrying and reproducing, and not questioning authority is a part of our 'natural order.' The idea that we do and believe what the powerful have said. 

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

Ideology is a strong form of material power and dominates how we control. 
1)Repressive state Apparatuses (RSAs) - being controlled by major institutions, which are dominated by the ruling elite. Regulating social behavior repressing through violence, law and fear. 
2) Ideological state Apparatuses (ISAs) - Looser institutions control us through 'common sense' acceptance, social norms. 

Consumerism is promoted by the idea that material wealth will make us happy but this benefits the elite class, manufactures and owners of production. 


5) 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 do agree with the idea that the people with power are the people who have the most money, in that case agreeing with the concept of the economic elite. Their ideologies and what they wish to convey would openly be accepted by those in power due to the money they have to offer. I also agree with the fact that each media platform has some type of message that isn't so openly perceived by its audience but it forces an individual to take an action without them consciously being aware of why they are doing so, they may think its because of one thing but its actually due to another eg. 'i like it', rather than because 'its what everyone else likes.' I do believe in the fact that most people are unthinkingly controlled by the media however there are a few people who are knowledgeable to understand the deeper aspects of society and our drives which help them resist. Moreover i think upbringing with alternative ideologies eg. religious ones or those families have learnt through experience help an individual oppose to a fair amount of control the economic elite may posses. 

So overall, yes i do believe 99% of the population unthinkingly are controlled but 99% of what the economic elite suggest but there is a 1% that are not. That also means i don't think everyone is controlled by EVERYTHING the economic elite say due to individual differences. 

As for the four main points; 

• Money = Happiness - i somewhat agree but only if money is spent the right way.

• Consumer goods = Fulfilment - i somewhat agree as they give you a sense of achievement but i also diagree as you are never fully fulfilled with just one occurrence. 

• Marriage/Family/Children = Happiness - Fairly, but only if they provide love and support.


• Obedience/Work= Fulfilment - Obedience i disagree with but i agree with work (that you like)