MIGRAIN Ideology

MIGRAIN: Ideology

Blog tasks: ideology

Part 1: BBC Question Time analysis

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

Russell Brand and Nigel Farage have heavily opposing views on immigration. Brand represents a left wing ideology and Farage represents the right-wing ideology. They are passionately debating with eachother, with Brand holding sympathetic and liberal views towards immigrants and immigration and Farage trying to present a more factual and negative side of the argument. 

2) What ideologies are on display in this clip?

Left wing vs Right wing.

At the time, Farage was the UKIP leader and so he reflects the heavily right-wing ideologies on immigration during the debate.

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 tasks linked to them. 

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

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

Series like the hunger games are used as metaphorical representations of ideologies to communicate ideas with the audience.

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

President Snow is in a position of power and wealth and holds dictatorial control over the rest of the country, especially the poor who are suffering.

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

It portrays how powerful the media is in manipulating people and broadcasting ideologies to maintain control over them through fear.

Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

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

Ideologies are constantly changing as they are communicated through people and the media.

2) 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.

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

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.

4) 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:
1: Repressive state controls social behaviour through the major institutions
of society – the Government, Army, Police, Courts, etc. –which are dominated by the ruling elite.
2: ‘Ideological State Apparatuses’ that control using common sense rather than fear.

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 believe that the absolute abundance of media in our society means that that there is no way we aren't controlled by it.

The pressure to not be left out of large products with strong brand presence in society is one of the many ways that we are somewhat subconsciously pressured to give-in to "common sense". The presence of opinion leaders - those you trust and follow - can easily shape your personal desires and shows that, fundamentally, we are controlled by those who have more power and presence than us.

Although we do have free will, it's very much reliant on our desires being constructed and presented by the media. For example, the ways in which television present certain life styles as desirable or even just in abundance can furthermore imply that society is controlled by the desire to do not as they please but to do as is presented as desirable by the media.