Thursday, 17 December 2015

Ideology: Further Reading Tasks

Ideology: Further Reading Tasks


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

What view of capitalist ideology is presented in the Hunger Games films?
The Hunger Games is about a post-apocalyptic America where thirteen districts exists purely to serve the capital city of the country, names 'The Capitol'. Every district is poor; people struggle to survive on small amounts of food and minimum wages, while they work to provide coal, technology, food, power and other services to the Capitol. Each year two children between the ages of 11 - 18 are sent from each district to partake in The Hunger Games, an annual, event that involves forcing each child  to kill another until only one is remaining. The Games serve to keep the districts under control, as punishment for previous rebellions, and to warn them to stay in line. There is a negative view on capitalist ideologies. This is evident in the way they show capitalist views through the 'Capitol'. Furthermore, these views are then reinforced through violence and civic means. 

In this article we see different theories and how these theories are interpreted by different people in society. The Hunger Games films suggest that the media is one of the most important ways of influencing/manipulating people in to agreeing with a certain set of ideologies. This is evident in the way that the city of Panem was ruled by a dictatorship for over 75 years.I believe that we are controlled or we are influenced by how the media portrays certain aspects of reality creating a false reality in how and what certain members of society really do. For example, football can be claimed to be using camera shots to show a tackle as being either dirty or clean. Another example would be the weather and how they would say it is raining which would then tell the audience to go out in the correct clothing and attire.



Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology


The four acceptable ideological beliefs are:

  1. People should put their families first.
  2. People should work hard for their money
  3. Women should believe in feminine ways, and look after their appearance.
  4. Good should overcome evil.


Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggests those in power maintain their control through consent and not through the use of force. He argues ideologies are constructed through ideas and elite social groups are able to dominate through ideas and not through strength and fear.

Louis Althusser offers a way of udnerstanding how we are controlled through power. He tlaks about how Repressive State Control is when the elite use methods like the army, Police,Courts and the Government to dominate the less powerful. He also goes on to say that religion is also a key way of controlling the masses. 

Louis Althusser's big idea was that the public should keep on consuming and purchasing goods which will then in turn make them happy. This idea best serves the elite who are the manufactures and owners of the means of production. This theory suggests that it is common sense to keep on purchasing products.

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