Abstract
The aim of this paper is to consider the significance of introducing an Althusserian point of view into the theory of Bernstein. Althusser' s theory of Ideology established new theoretical horizons for the study of reproduction and subjection. While he manifested an Althusserian influence, Bernstein did not stipulate clearly or in detail what point of view he admired. Namely, he developed the Althusserian point of view ‘toujour deja’ (always and already). In this paper, the theory of ideology by Althusser is compared with the theory of symbolic control by Bernstein, and we discover their differences and points in common.
The main findings are as follows; Firstly, the reason why Bernstein introduced the theory of ideology into the theory of symbolic control is that Bernstein found out the common function in ideology and classification that constructs subjects through the misrecognition distorted reality (imaginary subject) as real. Secondly, Bernstein complements the difficulty of traditional Marxist perspective that regards the state as the instrument of the dominant class by positing the complex position of the agencies and agents of symbolic control. Agencies and agents of symbolic control can take various positions from the state and economic or cultural field. They are controlled directly or indirectly and the position they take can be different depending on socio-historical conditions. Thirdly, Bernstein complements the fixed or static interaction between transmitter (he who calls) and the acquirer (he who is called) at interpellation in Althusser's theory. By creating the concepts of framing, he described the various types of interaction between the transmitter and acquirer and the indetermination in subjection. For Bernstein, introducing the Althusserian point of view was significant in that allowed the theoretical limit to be augmented. Basing on an Althusserian perspective, Bernstein makes possible the actual description of the formation of subject in capitalistic society.
