another ISA maybe?
I just had a thought about another possible example of an Ideological State Apparatus. I think it might have surfaced from Alison’s presentation with the hugs and middle schools. Could the prototypical cliques in such middle schools be an example of a type of cultural ISA? They function beneath the “ideology of ‘the ruling class’†(Althusser 1491), or the contemporary vision of popularity epitomized by the “queen bees†or popular icons or whatever. Then there are various other groupings that revolve around a different set of icons. Those who go through the educational ISA usually encounter some form of these groups and the judgments they pass that interpellate individuals as subjects. (Even if they aren’t susceptible to changing their behavior because of this judgment, most still recognize its existence and influence on the school community as a whole.) I guess this example’s validity as an ISA would depend on whether or not you thought that the groups had any bearing on society outside of the school. While according to Althusser, the educational system establishes attitudes in regard to “rules for respect for the socio-technical division of labour and ultimately the rule of the order established by class domination†(1485), I think that cliques in schools might play their part in establishing social attitudes too. Could this possibly work as some sort of ideological apparatus too?
sean wrote:
An interesting way of looking at the seemingly “spontaneous” social formations of schools and young people. How might this relate, if at all, to the “Omegas” in Children of Men?
Posted 12 Nov 2007 at 10:40 am ¶
Lindsay wrote:
I think that the clicks form because the children see that they have something in common or when a child joins a click they start to like the same things the other members of the click do. The Omegas are thrown together because they have a common experience and start to become more a like as they spend time together. Clicks develop a presence and sometimes frighten or intimidate the kids who aren’t allowed to join the click. The Omegas intimidate those who are incapable of being part of their elite group. Both groups have the power to make people question themselves and make people compare themselves to the “ruling click” or the “Omegas.” The groups and the people who are excluded from them are changed because these social formations exist
Posted 12 Nov 2007 at 12:13 pm ¶
katie wrote:
I agree with the idea that cliques are a form of ISA. They form almost instinctively, with each individual in society knowing which clique that they belong to. Each clique, then, imposes certain views and ideas on its members. Furthermore, even when attempted, it is rare that members of one clique are able to leave that clique and join another. This shows that it is, indeed, a form of social control, because it is so prevalent and inescapable.
This does link to the Omegas, who form a definite clique. They dress alike, act alike, and have similar personality traits. These all stem from being grouped together, and treated in the same way. Society raised their clique in a way separate from other groups. They were under the influence of their clique, and its social powers.
Posted 12 Nov 2007 at 1:17 pm ¶