[lbo-talk] Ideology

[Carrol Cox]

Ideology is not confronted by argument but by practice; this is the
point behind the various formulations by various marxists about the
importance of contradictions. Practice creates contexts in which
ideology can become visible and in conflict with perceived actuality.
One of the greatest blows against ruling-class ideology in modern
history was cutting off the head of Charles I. In the short run that was
a fiasco and led only to the Restoration. But nevertheless it became
increasingly difficult after that to pretend that subjects were subjects
because kings were kings and increasingly obvious that kings were kings
only because subjects were subjects. I say obvious, but actually it took
a century or more and quite a few brilliant men and women to theorize it
in such a way that it could be built on to illuminate further practice.

But the first breakthrough is _always_ in practice. You can often
counter propaganda with Chomskyan clear statement or at least with a
clear enough leaflet or stumpspeech or lunchhour chat, but not unless
practice ahs begun to weaken the ideology which gives resonance to the
propaganda.

Carrol