tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836154689340525703.post5403058170660118464..comments2014-04-28T10:25:29.883-07:00Comments on UNL ENGL 971 - Marx/ism: Ominous Hands & IdeologyAlexis Abelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03268073730513668427noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836154689340525703.post-84655378191701699752014-03-09T22:35:48.215-07:002014-03-09T22:35:48.215-07:00I'm responding to Dan and Jonathan both here, ...I'm responding to Dan and Jonathan both here, who touched on the importance of ideology in Marx's broader analysis. As Althusser summarizes, the chief goal of bourgeois states is to reproduce their socioeconomic system and society, which is effectuated by State Apparatus (police, armies, government agencies), but also by ideology (church, family, media and education) . And I agree with Althusser's thesis that because modern capitalist democratic states have been so effective at curbing the power of religion and totalitarian regimes, the ruling elite have used education and the media to reproduce their power. Jonathan makes the point that both secondary and post-secondary education in America have become much more tied to preparing students for the real world. But again, this rationale allows for the illusory nature of ideology. It allows the political leadership to change their message thru education, as they see fit. And I think Marx right now would be telling us that we need to recapture our colleges and universities, and make them places, once again, for the free exchange of ideas. I think the influence of corporations and government on public universities has inhibited our ability as teachers to challenge our students' thinking to the fullest extent. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08784641996418697318noreply@blogger.com