A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

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What does Althusser identify as the purpose of the Ideological State Apparatus?

To enact laws and provide order
To spread dominant ideology and justify the powerful
To manage economic resources
To conduct social welfare programs

The correct answer is: To spread dominant ideology and justify the powerful

Althusser identifies the Ideological State Apparatus (ISA) as serving the crucial function of spreading and maintaining the dominant ideology within society. This apparatus encompasses institutions such as the education system, media, and family, which work to socialize individuals into accepting the values and beliefs that uphold the existing power structures. By promoting the ideology of the ruling class, the ISA plays a fundamental role in justifying the position of those in power and ensuring the continuation of their dominance. This concept highlights how ideology operates not just through overt coercion, but through more subtle means of influence and socialization, effectively legitimizing social inequalities. In contrast, the other options imply roles that are more directly related to the enforcement of law, economic management, or social welfare, which do not specifically align with Althusser’s focus on ideology as a means of control and influence. These functions, while relevant in various sociological analyses, do not encapsulate the primary focus of the Ideological State Apparatus in the context of Althusser's theory.