No Escape

Louis Althussers idea of the RSA and ISA shed light on the "conflicting" reactions toward the 2016 electoral results. The RSA consists of government, administration, army, police, courts, prisons etc. We are told that we accept these things because we see them as a way of ordering our lives. It serves almost as a safety net, whether we like it or not. On the other hand, ISA consists of religion, education, family, legal, political, media, and culture. We know these differentiating matters are ideological. Althusser argument is that these things make us ponder on how we, as social beings, are organized in our ideological sub positioning. We accept RSA because the repressive is simply a given so to speak.

In regards to the election, many have "accepted" the results because our president, whether we voted for he or she or not, is now the leader of our country and represents EACH of us...and that is simply "a given". However, what has sparked much controversy is peoples individual beliefs, or matters of ISA. Those who did not vote for Mr. Trump most likely did so because his beliefs went against their own ISA beliefs. It is hard to accept the singular, powerful aspects of RSA in this years election because of the conflicts with many Americans personal opinions and ideologies (ISA).

Many Americans have explained that this years results are "confusing". To those who want to flee the country and avoid all of controversial issues taking place post election....Althusser has something to say: "There is no practice except by and in ideology"(45). As much as you may want to get out....you simply can't escape.