The Study To Althusser’s Theory Of Ideological State Apparatus

Louis Althusser(1918-1990), as a famous theoretical thinker in the history of philosophy in French, who made a new construction of the Marx doctrine and is one of the main representative of structuralist marxism. He pointed out that although Marx has established the modern context of the concept of ideology, but Marx just laid a theoretical foundation in here. Especially his theory of the state still in the descriptive level, but the research of academic can not only satisfied with this level, and it still needs to be further explored. Therefore, in order to promote the continuous development of Marxist theory of Ideology, further complement the Marxist theory of the state, Althusser put forward his unique theory of Ideological State Apparatus.In Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses(Notes towards an Investigation), Althusser clearly pointed out that any class does not grasp the leadership of the Ideological State Apparatuses, its regime will not be lasting. Ideological State Apparatuses is a effectual way for ruling class to maintain a stable regime. Its theoretical basis are the Marx’s theory of ideology, the “Subject” theory of Lacan, and the Gramsci’s ideology theory of leadership. The essence of the theory is reproduction the production relations, so that the existing rule of the order to continue. The theory of Ideological State Apparatuses is an important method to expose the class nature of the capitalist countries for Althusser. He point out the true face of ruling class in capitalist countries through analysis the operating mechanism, the basic functions and the main characteristics of the Ideological State Apparatuses. As an originality theory, the important contribution of the theory of Ideological State Apparatuses can not be ignored. It not only enriched the Ideology theory of Marx, expanded the range of ideology field, but also bring some beneficial enlightenment for the trend of “Cultural studies” and some political movement in the West. Of course, it is precisely because of its originality, the theory itself inevitably has some limitations.Althusser’s theory of the Ideological State Apparatuses is a new chapter in the history of Marxist Philosophy in west. This theory still has an important value of the times. The author studies the theory of the “Ideological State Apparatuses” as the starting point of this paper from Althusser’s Ideology theory system. And starting from the appeal to ideological leadership in the times of Althusser, make the Ideological State Apparatuses as theme, in depth Althusser’s works to reveal the complete appearance of Althusser’s Ideological State Apparatuses theory. It is helpful to understand and grasp Althusser’s thought and theory in essence, so that we can in-depth understanding the operating mechanism of the Ideological State Apparatuses. And further investigation its reference value for the ideological construction of socialism in contemporary China.