Özet:

Throughout history, states have resorted to many arguments to ensure the continuity of their power and to legitimize it. Ideology is one of these arguments. Ideology, which has been used in various meanings in different contexts in the historical process, gained a different dimension with Althusser. With Althusser, ideology has turned into a concept that covers everything and has a material structure beyond history and time. In this context, the scope of the study consists of Althusser's theory of ideology. The aim of this study is to reveal Althusser’s ideology and its place in the theory of the state, including the differences with the classical Marxist view. As a result, it can be seen that Althusser has transformed the Marxist theory of the state from a monist structure to a dualist structure with the ideological apparatus of the state. Althusser, unlike the classical Marxist understanding, did not consider ideology as an extension of purely economic practice. He considering the philosophical, political and sociological dimensions of ideology, evaluated ideology as an eternal and material practice. He also revealed the difference between state power and state apparatus and showed the role of ideology in the capitalist system.