Althusser : education as an ideological state apparatus

Althusser

• argues that the main role of education is to persuade young people to accept their place in the capitalist system

ideological state apparatus

• he suggests that there is a number of institutions which he calls the ideological state apparatus which have this purpose 

• in the past, religion was the major influence in persuading people to accept their place in society 

• today the media and education have taken over 

• he argues that the ruling class keep this in check through ideological control

he argues that capitalist values are transmitted in two ways - 1

1- it teaches people that capitalism is normal and natural , despite its inherent inequalities and injustices . schools do little to encourage young people to question or criticise their existing society

2

• by selecting and grading pupils for unequal positions in society, schools make inequality appear fair and legitimate . pupils who fail or leave with few qualifications are seen as doing so due to their own lack of ability or motivation rather tan the fault of society where some pupils have much better educational opportunities than others