On Jameson's Theory Of Ideology In Late Capitalism

To the numerous readers in China, Fredric Jameson is of great eminence in the study field of Marxism. Since his first visit to China, Jameson has successfully attracted attentions and impressed the Chinese scholars with his special thinking method and unique theoretical perspective. The frontier concepts of late capitalism, commercialization of culture etc. were brought into views of the Chinese. He firstly introduced the cultural concept of postmodernism into China, and furthermore, unscrambled various cultural phenomenons spreading in the epoch of late capitalism.As a representative of Marxists in America, Jameson's fundamental theoretical frame is originated from Europe, mainly influenced by Germany and France. With such a background, his theory of ideology unfolds and absorbs merits of other Marxists, attempting to integrate the doctrines of psychoanalysis and methodology of French structuralism with Marxist theory. Through these endeavors, Jameson elevates Marxism to a higher theoretical level.The cultural features of capitalism gradually evolve with the further development of globalization. As a result of that, the cultural context for the study of ideology also varies. The new wave of globalization after the Second World War ushered monopoly capitalism into the next stage, late capitalism, in which Jameson identifies five distinct levels that may affect the ideological formation and operation. In a multi-perspective, his theory of ideology directly points to the cultural phenomenons in the context of late capitalism. Within postmodernism as its cultural logic, capitalist ideology functions in the form of postmodernism, maintaining, circulating and reproducing the capitalist relationship of production. Jameson at this right moment, points out the ideological function of postmodernism, whereby he sets forth the analysis of ideology with postmodern characteristics. To achieve this aim, Jameson adopts the methodology of"cognitive mapping"as the starting point to demystify the postmodern ideology. On the basis of analysis above, this thesis explores the signification and influence of Jameson's theory of ideology. Jameson attempts to articulate his theory of ideology to the Marist totality, aiming at surmounting the fragmentation of meaning. Then, Jameson's theory of ideology reminds that ideology, in the form of nationalism, embedded into the text, which is then conferred with vital political effect. As such, the status of the third world literature is elevated to an unprecedented altitude.Finally, there comes the conclusion of this thesis by virtue of two major theoretical resources of Jameson's theory of ideology, new global context of ideology, and the significance and influence of Jameson's theory of ideology. All in all, this thesis, with ideology as the perspective, is targeted at analyzing the inclusive, pluralistic, and critical features of Jameson's theory of ideology, so as to dialectically treat his eminent contribution in the contemporary study of the theory of ideology.