A Level Sociology Education AQA Practice Exam

What concept did Althusser introduce to describe how the ruling class maintains its power?

1. Social integration through education

2. Repressive and ideological state apparatus

3. Meritocracy in schooling

4. Equal opportunity policies

The correct answer is: Repressive and ideological state apparatus

Althusser introduced the concept of the repressive and ideological state apparatus to explain the mechanisms through which the ruling class sustains its power. This framework highlights two key elements: the repressive state apparatus (like the police and military) that uses force and coercion to maintain order, and the ideological state apparatus (such as education, media, and religion) that shapes people's beliefs, values, and ideologies without the use of overt force. The ideological state apparatus plays a crucial role because it operates mainly through creating consent and perpetuating dominant ideologies which favor the ruling class. For example, the education system can function to reproduce class inequalities by promoting values that uphold the existing social order. This dual system allows the ruling class to maintain control both through direct oppression and by influencing and shaping societal norms and values, demonstrating the sophistication of their power. The other options, while related to aspects of education and equality, do not encapsulate Althusser's analysis of power structures in the same way. Social integration, meritocracy, and equal opportunity policies touch on different themes in sociology, such as the role of education in social cohesion or the ideal of equal access, but they do not address the specific mechanisms of control that Althusser identified.