Ideology: MM reading on ideology and the wider media

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

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

This article analysis is the dystopian representation of capitalist society in the latest Hunger Games film as well as the previous. It draws attention to elements where media theory can be usefully applied.
2) What view of capitalist ideology is presented in the Hunger Games films?

The capitalist ideology that those in high power are able to control a countries ideas, views and resources. In context of The Hunger Games films: Panem is under dictatorship, President Snow runs everythingin the 13 districts with in Panem. All the people that live there are poor and have to serve 'The Capitol' which is where the rich occupy. Using Marxist theory we can see how the ruling class keep the poor under control through civic means, armies called 'peacekeepers' are sent to each district to punish anyone who tries to defy the authority of the dictator. 
3) What do the Hunger Games films suggest about the power of the media to shape and influence ideological beliefs?

The Hunger Games films suggest that the media is very powerful and is able to influence and shape ideological beliefs of those who consume it. This is shown when President Snow deals with rebels by spreading fear among the districts, and his main source is propaganda through the media - he does this by using constant repeats of previous ‘Hunger Games’ and airing the current ones on live TV to distract the masses from organising a revolution. The media can be seen as influential and shape ideological beliefs because we can see how Katniss makes propaganda videos which informs the districts of the existence of District 13. One of the videos is hacked and we can see how the content was powerful because it encouraged more people to rebel.


Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

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

This article discusses the concept of ideology and explores the ways we as consumers are controlled and manipulated by the ideology of consumption. It explores key theorists and explores the concept of hegemony.

2) What are the accepted ideological beliefs in western societies highlighted by the article?

• Good should overcome evil.

• Law is better than disorder.

• Pleasure is a goal in life.

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

Hegemony is the ability of the dominant class to project its own way of seeing the world so that

those who are dominated by it (the masses), accept it as ‘commonsense’ and ‘natural’. Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggests that power is used by those who consume it to maintain their control through consent, rather than force. Gramsci argues that the power of ideology mainly derives from ideas and structures, which support an elite social group. E.g. banks benefit from the elite people in society, however the economic crash of 2008 challenges this assumption.

4) What does French theorist Louis Althusser suggest about ideology and consumerism?

Louis Althusser offers a way of understanding how we are controlled through ideology.His view was that ideology is the greatest material power and dominates our lives in two forms;

• Repressive State Control through major institutions, such as the government, army, police, courts etc. These are dominated by the ruling elite. These state agencies regulate social behaviour and repress the masses through violence, punitive law, and fear.
• Ideological State Apparatus, such as the Church, the media, educational institutions, the family unit etc. These institutions control and dominate implicitly through common sense acceptance and social norms, 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? 

I agree to with the idea behind 'They live' that we are unthinkingly controlled by the media which is run in the interests of the economic elite because often the information we are given out through the media by those who have high economic power is given out with the interests of manipulating lower classes and bettering the economically advantaged. We are often lead into thinking that the economically elite have a lot of control over our lives when in reality it's the media who is controlling us by enforcing societal beliefs.