Blog tasks: Ideology Part 1: BBC Question Time analysis

 1) What examples of binary opposition can you suggest from watching this clip?

One example of binary opposition I can suggest from watching this clip is immigrants vs British people. This is clearly illustrated as Nigel argues the point about overcrowding as a result of immigration and the general quality of life has gone down. Another binary opposition suggested from this clip is rich vs poor. This is seen when Nigel makes the point about the upper classes being at a disadvantage because of overcrowding, but Russell makes the point about how money is not being distributed in an equal way and that the poor are also at a disadvantage because of this. Furthermore, another binary opposition in this clip is immigration vs corruption. Russell mentions how people are worried about the shortages of resources, taking away jobs, housing, not paying taxes because of immigrants, but Nigel is the one who is really to blame because politicians are corrupt. One other binary opposition displayed in this clip is racism vs anti-racism. Nigel's whole idea about not wanting immigrants to come to the UK makes him seem like he has racists views and issues with foreigners and only thinks about money, whereas Russell could be seen as anti-racist because he is for immigration.

2) What ideologies are on display in this clip?

One ideology that is displayed in this clip is that the privileged end up having more power in society than the less privileged which puts them at a disadvantage. Another ideology is Nigel's capitalist views coming across in his answers. Also, Russell's claims about those in power being corrupt is another ideology as he says how the working classes suffer because the higher classes and more privileged people, like bankers, are taking all the money and it's not equally distributed. Another ideology in this clip is that Nigel believes that immigration has bought issues that are in this country such as a shortage of school place, housing and GP services, and overcrowding and congestion on the roads.

Part 2: Media Magazine reading

Media Magazine issue 52 has two good articles on Ideology. You need to read those articles (our Media Magazine archive is here) and complete a few short tasks linked to them. 

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

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

This article analysis the dystopian representation of capitalist society in the latest Hunger Games film and the series as a 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?

 
3) What do the Hunger Games films suggest about the power of the media to shape and influence ideological beliefs?
 The Hunger Games film suggests that the media are very powerful as they are able to influence and shape ideological beliefs. This is shown when President Snow deals with rebels by spreading fear among the districts, and his main source is propaganda and 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. Additionally, 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; the video contained a bombing of a hospital.

Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

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

•  Money=Happiness
• Consumer goods=Fulfilment
• Marriage/Family/Children=Happiness
• Obedience=Fulfilment

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

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

 Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci introduced the concept of hegemony , and its role in social control. He suggested that hegemony is used by those in power 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) 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 agree to a large extent with the idea behind 'They Live'. We are unthinkingly controlled by the media and constantly manipulated by the interests which target the economic elite. People like us are fooled into thinking that they have full control of their lives, when in reality it's the media who is controlling us by enforcing societal beliefs.