Althusser’s Conception of Ideology: An Inaccurated Framework in the Thai Academic Community and the Complexity of subject, Subject, and Class Struggle

Abstract

The concept of ideology within the Marxist tradition is profound yet often ambiguous. This ambiguity arises from the twists and turns in its interpretation by various theorists. The term ‘ideology’ was originally coined by Antoine Destutt de Tracy, a French Enlightenment thinker. However, as it gained popularity and was widely adopted in academic, political, and other circles, its meaning and connotations diverged significantly from one author to another. From its positive conception as the ‘science of ideas’ (de Tracy) to its critique as ‘false consciousness’ (Engels), the concept has evolved considerably. Louis Althusser, one of the most prominent contemporary Marxist thinkers, inherits this complex legacy and attempts to formulate a more coherent conception of ideology. In doing so, he seeks to address the weaknesses and integrate the strengths of his predecessors.

          Althusser does not present his ideas on ideology in a single text but rather across several works, which has led to some inconsistencies in his conception over time. This research article aims to explicate Althusser’s conception of ideology and present it in a more unified and coherent form. To achieve this goal, the article is divided into three main parts. The first part surveys the various conceptions of the term ‘ideology’ both within and outside the Marxist tradition. The second part examines Althusser’s idea of ideology in general, while the final part explores his idea of ideology in particular.

          Althusser’s conception of ideology retains certain elements from the founders of the Marxist tradition but reinterprets them in a distinct way. He introduces the idea of ideology in general as a mechanism of subject creation, interpellation, or ‘hailing.’ According to Althusser, human beings cannot exist outside ideology; they are inherently ideological beings. To become ideological beings means that individuals transform themselves into actors who live meaningfully according to their roles within their social relationships. However, this notion of ideology in general is abstract and eternal. To ground it, Althusser presents the idea of ideology in particular, which demonstrates how individuals in a given society are positioned as rulers or ruled. This concept also reveals how societies reproduce themselves to ensure their survival, as well as how the subordinate class can overthrow the ruling class through revolution. By seizing state power and modifying or even dismantling the state apparatus—both repressive and ideological—the subordinate class can fundamentally transform society.