Ideology

 Part 1: BBC Question Time analysis



Watch this clip from BBC Question Time with Russell Brand and Nigel Farage. The BBC deliberately placed the two against each other and the episode resulted in far more people than usual watching and reacting on social media.

1) What examples of binary opposition can you suggest from watching this clip? 
Left wing and right wing ideals. Russell Brand has an opposite belief about BREXIT. He thinks we should stay in the European union and disagrees with Nigel Farage that immigrants and overpopulation is the reason for budget cuts. 

2) What ideologies are on display in this clip?
Those that believe that the UK support Nigel Farage's' campaign and those who don't support what Russel Brand should leave the EU and those that don't.



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.
Analysis 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?
But there is also a vital ideological element to the way Panem is run; those in power control ideas, as well as resources.

3) What do the Hunger Games films suggest about the power of the media to shape and influence ideological beliefs?
It suggests that media can be used a way to further certain ideologies by using narratives


Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

1) 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, and look after their appearance.
2) 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. - It is a system in society set up and upheld by socio economic class

3) What does French theorist Louis Althusser suggest about ideology and consumerism?
His view was that ideology is the greatest material power and dominates our day to day lives through two key forms of control: Repressive State Control, Ideological State Apparatuses

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!
Yes, i agree that we are unthinkingly controlled because all media has a message set up by the producers whether they are subtly placed or explicitly identifiable. The more exposed we are to certain ideological beliefs, the more we subconsciously may agree with the message

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