Dominate Ideology

[coberst]

Dominate Ideology

To study a domain of knowledge one can take several ‘points of view’. One can concentrate on the narrow perspectives or one can take on the ‘standpoint of the whole’. Every citizen of every society has a point of view about almost everything. Opinions are quickly stated on most anything that is within the domain of discussion of a society at a specific time.

Society is less a collection of individuals and more a system of points of view. A society is a matrix of positions. To be a member of society is to be part of a prestructured social space. An individual has multiple roles; within each role is an established point of view. On occasion this is a considered point of view; more often than not it is an unconscious legacy of past experience.

Each of us harbors a hierarchy of views and I think that in every society there is a dominant position or point of view or ideology. The American dominant ideology is structured about the dominant value system, which is to maximize production and consumption.

The dominant ideology, like all ideologies or points of view, is narrow and dominated by the self interest of the commanding group who establish the view and maintain its superior position within the society. Being a partial point of view the dominant ideology is biased, distorted and unaware of its own assumptions. The partial point of view often claims universality and absolute validity. In some cases the claims are based on ignorance and in many cases it is based on self-interest.

Who controls the dominant ideology in your nation? I am convinced that in the USA the corporate and institutional elite control the dominant ideology.

Originally Posted by coberst

Who controls the dominant ideology in your nation? I am convinced that in the USA the corporate and institutional elite control the dominant ideology.

Wouldn't it be the followers/buyers that control it? Quit trying to blame the big names, they would be nothing without people like you.

[free tibet]

In Britain it has changed. Fifty years ago it would have been the Royal family, and upper classes. However today we're richer, and smarter, and increasingly a middle class socety. It is now the upper middle class "intellectuals" who own ideology here, they are the doctors, civil servants, just about anyone with power.

[sofy]

In Iran from 28 years ago it is the religious leaders who control the country.

Wouldn't it be the followers/buyers that control it?

A handful of ignorant followers Maybe, but no, they are nothing. I believe there are just some big hands who build the history. The followers in one sense are just observant. (maybe even blind observant!)

[coberst]

CA (Corporate America) has developed a well-honed expertise in motivating the population to behave in a desired manner. Citizens as consumers are ample manifestation of that expertise. CA has accomplished this ability by careful study and implementation of the knowledge of the ways of human behavior. I suspect this same structure applies to most Western democracies.

A democratic form of government is one wherein the citizens have some voice in some policy decisions. The greater the voice of the citizens the better the democracy.

In America we have policy makers, decision makers, and citizens. The decision makers are our elected representatives and are, thus, under some control by the voting citizen. The policy makers are the leaders of CA; less than ten thousand individuals, according to those who study such matters. Policy makers exercise significant control od decision makers by controlling the financing of elections.

Policy makers customize and maintain the dominant ideology in order to control the political behavior of the citizens. This dominant ideology exercises the political control of the citizens in the same fashion as the consuming citizen is controlled by the same dominant ideology.

An enlightened citizen is the only means to gain more voice in more policy decisions. An enlightened citizen is much more than an informed citizen. Critical thinking is the only practical means to develop a more enlightened citizen. If, however, we wait until our CT trained grade-schoolers become adults I suspect all will be lost. This is why I think a massive effort must be made to convince today’s adults that they must train themselves in CT.


“Thomas R. Dye, Professor of Political Science at Florida State University, has published a series of books examining who and what institutions actually control and run America. to understand who is making the decisions that affect our lives, we also have to understand how societies structure themselves in general. Why the few always tend to share more power than the many and what this means in terms of both a society's evolution and our daily lives. they examined the other 11 institutions that exert just as powerful a shaping influence, although somewhat more subtle: The Industrial, Corporations, Utilities and Communications, Banking, Insurance Investment, Mass Media, Law, Education Foundation, Civic and Cultural Organizations, Government, and the Military.”
http://www.21stcenturyradio.com/12-dye.html

Ahhhhhhh!!!! Hi Sofy! I'm happy to see you .

Originally Posted by sofy

In Iran from 28 years ago it is the religious leaders who control the country.

Do you think religious leaders are more succesful at controling the masses because people tend to respect them more or out of fear of God? Iranian religious leaders are nothing like the materialistic American religious leaders so religious Americans can't get a grip because Christianity is interpreted so many different ways by the "leaders".

Originally Posted by sofy

Wouldn't it be the followers/buyers that control it?

A handful of ignorant followers Maybe, but no, they are nothing. I believe there are just some big hands who build the history. The followers in one sense are just observant. (maybe even blind observant!)

I think it's a cultural thing too.

[navedub]

Who controls the dominant ideology in your nation? I am convinced that in the USA the corporate and institutional elite control the dominant ideology.

dominant in the sense of overwhelming majority of citizens hold those ideas or dominant in the sense of that which subdues all other ideologies by force?

i think there's a sleeping giant which will eventually awaken and that is held deeply in every american. this is why politicians have to be extremely cunning and careful while the elite make clear to their constituency the consequences of not following the status quo. the television and print media is increasingly becoming controllable with corporate mergers and satellite/parent companies. here's where the elite made the mistake though - they've opened pandora's box by not regulating the internet. as the technology gets better the entertainment value and accesible information will broaden as will the grey areas of what americans commonly hold as a national pride become more a global pride. the ideal of capitalism will be less valued as the coming generations wake up to it's global effects and that will of course effect this heirarchal structure. classism will no longer be edified as the freedom to pursuit liberty because in actuality no one has that freedom without first aligning with the ideals of the people in charge. sure, we have the freedom to voice our opinions but all you have to do is turn on your television to see there are no truly unique thoughts being exchanged. we're free to pursue a political career but not so free that you'll actually be effective unless being of one of two parties who have some core beliefs that you must push forward to be successful.

the sleeping giant is this i believe. it is our nature that we change and the more effective any system becomes the more people will want to push the self destruct button (if even unconsciously) because it's inherent to our being that we try something new. i believe a cultural revolt is on the horizon again.

the ordered way of living is a w.a.s.p. invention primarily so it's no surprise that culture is the one in power. it makes the appearance over the years of fusing with what look like people of a different stock but in actuality they hold the same ideals otherwise they would've never made it that far. in spite of all the virtue of our forefather's invention there is one clear cut error and that is one of control. people ultimately want to be self governing and don't have that sense until there is an obvious, totally transparent equality.

a monumental first step would be a guarantee that every person is afforded the same education and health care across the board, even if it drains our economy. it wouldn't because that's how to build healthy individuals for furthering this....whatever it is we're furthering. next would be a true democracy, maybe via the internet and eventual obliteration of the republic. no need for representatives if you can represent yourself with a computer interface; at least on the major issues. this would put the power back where it belongs. with citizen involvement people might finally see the triviality of many of the 'problems' congress deals with on a day to day basis and find more effective means for swift resolution. the third step would be dissolution of the supreme court and/or at least their ability to form laws based on precedent. the fourth and likely the most tricky, complete transperancy as to military operations and intelligence gathering.

people ultimately want peace and recreation. we're seeing the whole world and not just our own cut out corner as we move along so awakening involves a sever threat to personal peace because it requires your conscience being listened to and expressed. if the whole of humanity can not find that i think we'll eventually abandon ship.

[*Yawn*...God?]

I think the dominant ideology is the Yoda ideology.

[navedub]

ideology amounts to blind stupidity in this country as each generation is becoming increasingly less free to make a choice. can't choose our schools, neither our elected officials because the choices are reduced to idiot A or liar B, school which scores the highest (yet rates in the bottom in poorer countries) or school where the social structure is like that of a penitentiary (we had police officers stationed at our school) and the only elective courses are home economics or film class. the frustration will boil over eventually. time to start taking cues from other countries who got it right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfRUMmTs0ZA

[sofy]

Originally Posted by Misfit

Ahhhhhhh!!!! Hi Sofy! I'm happy to see you .

Do you think religious leaders are more succesful at controling the masses because people tend to respect them more or out of fear of God? Iranian religious leaders are nothing like the materialistic American religious leaders so religious Americans can't get a grip because Christianity is interpreted so many different ways by the "leaders".

Hi MisFit, happy to see you!

What you said can be true about a pure religious tendency, but even very spiritual(!) religious leaders are turning to a point of materialism. then I think we have to work on a theme like "religious materialists" here,too!

I think it's a cultural thing too.

What do you think: it is the whole generation that is involved to build the history of the world, or it is just in the hands of some giant choosers? If there was no Marx, Staline, Laotse , Hitler, Loter king, etc. what would happen? I dont't know how does the power of a powerful man begin and how does it end? But I believe that the followers have just a tiny part.

[coberst]

Originally Posted by navedub

ideology amounts to blind stupidity in this country as each generation is becoming increasingly less free to make a choice. can't choose our schools, neither our elected officials because the choices are reduced to idiot A or liar B, school which scores the highest (yet rates in the bottom in poorer countries) or school where the social structure is like that of a penitentiary (we had police officers stationed at our school) and the only elective courses are home economics or film class. the frustration will boil over eventually. time to start taking cues from other countries who got it right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfRUMmTs0ZA

All of these things that happen are the result of human intention. The humans having these intentions are the oligarchy that controls the dominant ideology. Until the people understand this they will continue to hook at the cape thereby leaving the oligarachy in control. The politicians are also part of the cape that the Matador uses to distract the people. While the people blame the politicians for their problems the Matador remains a mystery unseen.

Originally Posted by sofy

What do you think: it is the whole generation that is involved to build the history of the world, or it is just in the hands of some giant choosers?

Even though the generations look different, it is all run the same. There will always be a small group of powerful people controlling, just using different ideology.

Originally Posted by sofy

If there was no Marx, Staline, Laotse , Hitler, Loter king, etc. what would happen?

Nothing except maybe some things may have been worse and they would be different names.

Originally Posted by sofy

I dont't know how does the power of a powerful man begin and how does it end? But I believe that the followers have just a tiny part.

Power is like wine, the more a person drink's the more it changes a person's behavior. It's hard to control and it's a part of human nature. Unless you don't like to drink, I don't like the taste.

In America the society isn't perfect but it's one of the best because our leaders don't have complete power over the people. There is opposition that is always watching and brings the mistakes to the public eye so we look bad to people in other countries. However, in Iran or China, you don't have opposition so those leaders can get away with what ever they want to do.

[free tibet]

Originally Posted by *Yawn*...God?

I think the dominant ideology is the Yoda ideology.

Pleased by this, Yoda is.

[navedub]

Originally Posted by coberst

All of these things that happen are the result of human intention. The humans having these intentions are the oligarchy that controls the dominant ideology. Until the people understand this they will continue to hook at the cape thereby leaving the oligarachy in control. The politicians are also part of the cape that the Matador uses to distract the people. While the people blame the politicians for their problems the Matador remains a mystery unseen.

you sound like some masonic white boy. sorry (man) j/k

let's suppose there was no conscious effort to keep education a public 'monopoly' (as it's been called in this report), or that it was wholly the responsibility of the teacher's union/irresponsibility of the citizens to fight the bureocratic process to rid us of poor education in this country.

the oligarch is not simply some sitting duck, mindlessly waiting for cues from the public. the governing bodies ought not merely be of the people, but BE the people. they ought see clearly that the system just simply is not working for EVERY class. as did that south carolinian governer who's ideas were shot down. for no other 'stated' reason than simply, 'it's unprovable'. only, if 20/20 weren't such morons themselves they may have extended that phrase to say, 'it's provable by virtue it's been done, and works more efficiently in other countries'. clearly and concisely.

now let's suppose the elite cared.

it's just no one's standing up to states any longer like j.f.k. did so many years ago because the problems have been presented as less dire to human rights. debating whether that's consciously fed by those in power is another matter. refering to my first response, it may not be entirely conjecture.

[sofy]

Originally Posted by Misfit

Even though the generations look different, it is all run the same. There will always be a small group of powerful people controlling, just using different ideology.

Your emphasis on different generations is one thing and my attempt to provide a universal point is another. but i do admit this difference!

Nothing except maybe some things may have been worse and they would be different names.

exactly!there would be other different names, but again some! History needs them to be build!

Power is like wine, the more a person drink's the more it changes a person's behavior. It's hard to control and it's a part of human nature. Unless you don't like to drink, I don't like the taste.

In America the society isn't perfect but it's one of the best because our leaders don't have complete power over the people. There is opposition that is always watching and brings the mistakes to the public eye so we look bad to people in other countries. However, in Iran or China, you don't have opposition so those leaders can get away with what ever they want to do.

nice simile!
in America maybe the case is so, but in iran this passive acceptance is going to remove, also! at least i think so.