Ideological State Apparatuses (ISAs)

According to Althusser, an ideological state apparatus (ISA) is a social institution that instills its members with ideas, values, beliefs and a particular worldview. These institutions can take many forms, such as religious institutions, schools, legal systems, or media networks. One of the salient features of an ISA is that it achieves the obedience of the population primarily through "peaceful" means. Rather than using intimidation and violence as a first measure to coerce a population into accepting the power structures of their society, they convince them of cultural narratives that justify the status quo as natural and legitimate.