Notas para uma compreensão ampliada do conceito de ideologia dominante

Abstract

This article aims to discuss theoretical elements for an expanded interpretation of the concept of dominant ideology in the capitalist social formation. In order to do this, it starts from the assumption that the concept of ideology is a complex object of analysis and that, nevertheless, a restrictive approach to its meaning (a negative or neutral meaning) prevails in social studies in relation to the capitalist State, limiting the analysis of the social relations involved in the political conflict to be analyzed. Because of that, through a literature review, this paper looks for theoretical elements for an expanded understanding of dominant ideology, especially in the formulations of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels and Nicos Poulantzas. The approach in this paper is based on the interpretation of the meanings attributed to the concept of ideology by Marx and Engels. Then, it analyzes its meanings as a regional structure and relational concept in the work of Poulantzas. Based on contributions of these authors, it concludes that there are elements for an expanded interpretation of the concept of dominant ideology. In particular, it understands that this interpretation is composed by at least two dimensions of analysis: a first one addresses its structural assumptions (effects of isolation and unity); a second one identifies its relational characteristic and its concrete practices (political discourse, legal practices, labor relations etc.) in the social formation.