Ideology: MM reading on ideology and the wider media

Ideology - final tasks (MM52 reading)

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

1) Read the article and summarise it in one sentence.
In this they analyse the dystopian representation of capitalist society in the latest Hunger Games film and the series as whole, drawing attention to elements where media theory can be most usefully applied.

2) What view of capitalist ideology is presented in the Hunger Games films?
Capitalist ideology presented as the poor are kept under surveillance and the upper can punish them if they defy them.

3) What do the Hunger Games films suggest about the power of the media to shape and influence ideological beliefs?
Is caught under the dictatorship of President Snow, using constant repeats of previous ‘Hunger Games’ and airing the current ones live on TV to distract the masses from organising a revolution.

Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

1) Read the article and summarise it in one sentence.
Sean Richardson illustrates the ways in which we are controlled and manipulated by the ideology of consumption.

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
Look after their appearance.

3) What does Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggest about power and ideology in society?
Gransci defined hegemony as an important way in which those in power maintain their control through consent, rather than the use of force.

4) What does French theorist Louis Althusser suggest about ideology and consumerism?
He believes in two key forms of control:

• Repressive State Control, also known as ‘Repressive State Apparatuses’ (RSAs) through the major institutions of society. 
• ‘Ideological State Apparatuses’ (ISAs), such as the Church, the media, educational institutions, the family unit etc.

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 think that the upper class do have a more wider control of what is broadcasted for people to see. I feel like we are influenced by the media but we have the control of what type of things we want to be influenced by now.