low-paid guards. Such an environment is not one where an individual can become “cleansed” of their aggressive tendencies and dubious machinations. Rather, the opposite tendencies are intensified. Granted, many felons have committed horrible deeds. The initial gut reaction is to imprison, torture, and/or execute those who have hurt our loved ones. However, Marxist criticism requires a little analytical distance. One should not follow one’s gut, animal instincts to strike back at those who have struck. Rather, one should strive to see how such “instincts” are reinforced or limited by society. For example, there are undoubtedly police officers who have caused as great pain to the loved ones of those that they imprison or execute. However, where the families of the criminals’ victims are taught to feed off of their hate and thirst for revenge because the state will eventually gratify their desires, the families of the state’s victims have no such recourse. Thus, the “instinct” of revenge is either reinforced or limited by the state’s role in the murder.The reason for such a distinction lies only in ideology. “Ideology” is a problematic term to define, on the same level as “culture” or “civil society.” Basically, ideology is the code of behavior instilled in the citizens of a particular culture. In its most obvious form, ideology is the propaganda that instills nationalism and ethnocentrism in citizens. In such circumstances, the “bias” formed by the ideology is usually blatant and negative. However, ideology also forms other “biases” that shape everything from our ethics and belief systems to our mannerisms. The manner in which ideology may exert such subtle control over our beings cannot be seen as negative because it defines us and is us. Without the process of socialization into a culture and acceptanc...
