Ideology and Propaganda. Some Reflections on Two Problematic Terms
Nikita Artemov2018, in: K. Kleber / G. Neumann / S. Paulus (Hrsg.): Grenzüberschreitungen. Studien zur Kulturgeschichte des Alten Orients. Festschrift für Hans Neumann zum 65. Geburtstag am 9. Mai 2018 (Dubsar 5), Zaphon: Münster 2018, 43–57
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Abstract
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This paper explores the complex evolution of the terms 'ideology' and 'propaganda,' emphasizing their problematic nature in contemporary discourse. It analyzes the historical context of 'ideology' as a term that has become increasingly vague and ideologized, moving from a neutral definition to one laden with political connotations. The discussion draws on philosophical perspectives, particularly referencing Clifford Geertz's critiques, and aims to clarify the usage of these terms in social sciences, suggesting a need for a more rigorous theoretical framework to handle their meanings and implications.
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Key takeaways
- Choe, H. 1997, 58-63. 1845/46 but not published in its entirety until 1932) is commonly held to mark the birth of the modern concept of 'ideology '. 9 Although this view is probably not quite correct, the way the word 'ideology' was used by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels is still of interest not only because all major efforts to theorise 'ideology' as sociological and epistemological phenomenon were undertaken by Marxist thinkers or thinkers influenced by Marxism (Karl Mannheim, Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser) .
- the expressions 'royal ideology', 'imperial/state ideology', as well as the common use of the term 'ideology' for 'royal/state ideology' in Ancient Near Eastern Studies) 13 .
- The first question to ask is: what do we exactly mean by 'ideology'?
- It is clear that the king himself was not the only (and probably not even the most important) author of the 'royal ideology'.
- But was it 'ideology' at all?
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