Marx and the Missing Theory of Ideology

Karl Marx is often and typically seen as one of the main theorists of ideology. However, a closer look shows that Marx does not offer anything like a developed theory of ideology. Rather, as I argue here, there are elements for 3 quite different accounts of ideology to be found in his work: ideology as (1) a superstructure, (2) as the rulers’ ruling ideas, and (3) as false consciousness. This is a new reconstruction of Marx’ ideas about ideology. None of the above 3 ideas has been developed in any greater detail by Marx, and there is even the open question whether they are mutually compatible. There might be a means to combine the second and the third idea but, I argue that, anyone interested in a theory of ideology should rather look into more recent developments; I am giving nothing more than some suggestions at them at the end. It turns out that such a theory is still very much in its “infancy”.