Idealogy & Manipulation Flashcards
Marxism Overall View of Media
Media is used by the elite to prevent opposition and freedom of thought, to rule the masses.
The media is an agent for maintaining social status quo.
Marx View of Media in a Capitalist Society
We must consider:
Who owns the media? (class, gender, ethnicity)
What is their agenda?
Marx believed the media are part of the capitalist power structure.
Bourgeoisie
The ruling class In modern time, the owners of large companies
Proletariat
The subordinate classes
everybody else
Marx on How to keep the masses in order
- Religion “the opiate of the masses”
2. Secular ideas, broadcasted by the media
Opiate
Sedating & taming the masses.
The media becomes a new opiate (e.g. instagram, TV, celebrity magazines)
Marx on Dominant Ideologies
Dominant ideologies are the ideologies of the ruling class.
These are instated regardless of popular (mass) opinion.
The ideology of the ruling class is NOT in the best interest of the masses.
The media is used to spread dominant ideologies & generate acceptance from the masses. (e.g. CCTV in China)
Dominant ideologies are buried so deep they are even shared by politically opposing media streams (e.g. CNN and Fox News still share pro-US nationalism)
Marx on Control of the Media
- Explicit
2. Implicit
Frankfurt School
The first analysis of the media is the 1930s
Adorno
Proposed the idea of a ‘Culture Industry’
Culture is generated and controlled by the media.
Culture Industry
Culture is generated and controlled by the media.
Two consistent factors of this ‘culture’:
1. Homogeneity - the same message broadcasted through all media
2. Predictability - pop music & film very easy to digest and temporarily satisfying
Why is the Culture Industry the way it is?
A successful capitalist society requires rationalisation and instrumentalisation.
These processes are about maximising productivity and profit.
The C.I. optimises capitalism by encouraging consumption, passivity and conformity.
