Why Theory

Ideology

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Feb 1, 2018
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INSIGHT

Ideology's Origins

  • Ideology's first use, pre-Marx, wasn't about a reversal of ideas and material circumstances.
  • Marx and Engels introduced this reversal concept, giving ideology a negative connotation.
INSIGHT

Althusser's Ideology

  • Althusser posits that ideology isn't hidden but a surface representation of our imagined relationship to reality.
  • It constitutes individuals as subjects, giving a sense of agency, though this can be problematic.
INSIGHT

Escaping Ideology?

  • Althusser believes escaping ideology is impossible; being outside is only possible through theoretical distance.
  • Žižek suggests ideology offers social reality as an escape from a traumatic "real kernel."
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