Repression and the Ruling Class

I recently read Louis Althusser’s article on Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses. He discusses the production for conditions of reproduction by breaking down the Marxist theory into several fundamental aspects. Althusser discussed the differences between the proletarian (laboring) class and the privileged or capitalist class, while simultaneously breaking down the institutions that make up the Law, State, and Ideology viewpoint. He failed to realize that his writings were not reader friendly and therefore his opinions seemed lost in translation. He made interesting points that the repressed class remains in tact with the ideological ideas of the times.

Can the ruling class totally dominate over the repressive (proletarian) class without a revolt, or is repression so subtle only education can change the ideology of the repressed? The State, in effect, repressed the threats to capitalist class structures that it has acknowledged. The branches, activities, and officials constituted a Repressive State Apparatus. What interested Althusser, however, was a different set of social sites or apparatuses which are much less well examined or salient in the Marxist tradition, thus it played a parallel role in supporting capitalist class structures.

As far as Althusser’s idea that “State institutions like the Church…teaches “know-how”, but in forms which insure subjections to the ruling ideology or the master of its “practice”” (p.89), I would have to disagree. I contend that education teaches us to open our minds to other religious possibilities. One person can be fully indoctrinated in their own religious ideology, but fully respect other people’s religious beliefs. Catholic services do not stress in bringing a bible to service. When I asked a priest why this is so, he replied, “Tradition plays a predominate role in the Catholic Church. In the early days, it was assumed that most parishioners were unable to read, so the priest, deacon, or lay readers read the scriptures aloud during services”. I contend that ideology and tradition are interconnected with education, but ideology and tradition are metaphoric and subconscious. Many of the Middle East country’s differences can be resolved with social, cultural, and religious education that teaches respect for individual differences that has caused centuries of fighting. This is one of the major points that lead me to believe that the uneducated class stays repressed in beliefs because his or her ideology is the same as the ruling ideology. There’s no need to fully engage in deep contemplation or reflection when you are told what to believe with no further education to second guess the ruling class. Althusser is not convinced that education is the key difference between the ruling class and the proletarian class. Althusser believes that the ruling class will remain in power by force regardless of the working class’ education level. Althusser sticks to his thesis statement that ISA’s are the “dominant” power in a capitalistic society. He contends that “violence” dominates the old regime and “is the educational ideological apparatus (103).