Discourse,

Common Sense,
and Ideology
BIMAYUDHA PUTERA PRATAMA (03020320046)
HAFIF AL FARIZY (A73219059)
What is Discourse,
Common Sense,
and Ideology?
Discourse is a socially constructed way of using
language to create meaning and maintain power
relations. It refers to how language is used in particular
social contexts, such as politics, media, or everyday
interactions. Discourse is a way of framing and
interpreting the world shaped by social, cultural, and
historical factors.
For example, political discourse can frame certain issues
in particular ways and mobilize support for specific
policies or ideologies. Media discourse can shape public
opinion and reinforce dominant cultural norms and
values. Everyday discourse can establish and reinforce
social hierarchies and power relations in everyday
interactions.
Common Sense refers to beliefs or propositions that, in
their opinion, they consider would, in most people's
experience, be prudent and of sound judgment, without
dependence upon esoteric knowledge or study or
research, but based upon what is believed to be
knowledge held by people "in common." In short,
Common Sense is the knowledge and experience most
people have, or are believed to have by the person using
the term.
Classification of common sense into ‘ideological’ and
‘non-ideological’ will be more helpful to say that
common-sense assumptions may, in varying degrees,
contribute to sustaining unequal power relations.
Ideologies are embedded in features of discourse that
are taken for granted as matters of common sense:
things that we are not consciously aware of and related
to how we make sense of our world.
The effectiveness of ideology depends to a considerable
degree on it being merged with this common-sense
background to discourse and other forms of social
action.
 Relationship between
Discourse, Common Sense,
and Ideology
The relationship between language, discourse, common sense, and ideology is crucial
for understanding power relations in society. Language is not just a means of
communication but also a tool of power that reflects and reinforces social and cultural
hierarchies. Discourse, a socially constructed way of using language to create
meaning, is used to maintain power relations and perpetuate dominant ideologies.

On the other hand, common sense is often taken for granted as an objective and
neutral way of understanding the world but is, in fact, a form of ideology shaped by
language and discourse. Common sense can be used to maintain the status quo and
perpetuate power relations.

Therefore, by understanding the relationship between language, discourse, common

sense, and ideology, we can better analyze power relations in society. We can reveal
hidden ideologies and challenge dominant power structures by critically analyzing
language and discourse. We can also work towards creating a more just and equitable
society by understanding how language shapes our understanding of the world and
how we can use language to challenge dominant power structures.
 Assumptions,
Coherence, and
Inference
Although the links between ideology and discourse might appear tenuous, closer
inspection reveals that the two are closely intertwined. Ideology imbues discourse with
a particular meaning by creating certain expectations, thereby encouraging audiences
to make assumptions about the purpose of a speech. Thus, discourse coherence
facilitates the logical structuring of an argument. As a result, the audience develops an
idea about the subject under discussion and gains inference.
Common Sense
and
Ideology
Common sense refers to the shared beliefs, values, and assumptions taken for granted
as objective and neutral ways of understanding the world. However, common sense is
a form of ideology shaped by language and discourse, and it often serves to maintain
the status quo and perpetuate dominant power relations.

Language and discourse shape common sense by framing and interpreting the world
in particular ways that reflect and reinforce dominant ideologies. For example, media
discourse can shape common sense by portraying certain groups or issues in specific
ways that perpetuate dominant power relations and cultural norms.
Common sense can be used to maintain power relations by establishing and
reinforcing social hierarchies and dominant cultural norms. For instance, common
sense assumptions about gender roles and expectations can perpetuate gender
inequalities and limit opportunities for women and other marginalized groups.

Furthermore, common sense can silence or marginalize alternative perspectives and

ways of understanding the world. This is because common sense is often taken for
granted as objective and neutral, making it difficult to challenge dominant power
relations and ideologies.

Therefore, it is essential to critically analyze common sense and understand how it is

shaped by language and discourse. This critical understanding can challenge
dominant power structures and work towards creating a more just and equitable
society. By questioning and challenging common sense assumptions, we can open up
new perspectives and ways of understanding the world that can lead to social and
cultural change. Thus, when ideology becomes common sense, it ceases to be
ideology.
Naturalization and
the Generation of
Common Sense
What is the connection of naturalization to ideological common sense? Naturalization is
the royal road to common sense. Ideologies come to be ideological common sense to
the extent that the discourse types which embody them become naturalized. This
depends on the power of the social groupings whose ideologies and discourse types
are at issue. In this sense, common sense in its ideological dimension is itself an effect
of power. What comes to be common sense is thus in large measure determined by
who exercises power and domination in a society or a social institution.
Any question?