Althusser's ideological and repressive state apparatuses
Althusser distinguished repressive state apparatuses (RSAs: police, military, prisons — use force) from ideological state apparatuses (ISAs: education, media, religion — use ideology) that maintain capitalism.
Real World
Althusser would point to the UK school curriculum — which emphasises obedience, punctuality, and meritocracy — as the primary ISA normalising capitalist values in every generation of students.
Exam Focus
Always clarify the key distinction: RSAs use coercion, ISAs use consent — this comparison often secures the top analytical mark in 10- or 20-mark answers.
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