leaf

Introduction: A tree planted in spring grows together with its leaves throughout the seasons, standing alone in the autumn rain, as different yellowed leaves fall to the ground.

"We live in an era of digital authoritarianism," wrote Harvard scholar Dr. Chenoweth. Regimes have developed new methods using the internet and other tools, "from directly surveilling people's communications to online harassment and intimidation, to the rapid dissemination of state propaganda, to infiltration of movements, to selective censorship." This is not enough for governments to eliminate all dissent. To win, they only need to create enough doubt, division, or numb indifference to suffering so that protesters cannot gain sufficient support.
Although large-scale protests are bound to fail on today's Earth, the potential chain reaction from their drastically reduced chances of success may exceed the decline itself.

The state apparatus is a political term. According to Marxist-Leninist interpretation, the state is a tool for one class to dominate another. This means that the ruling class must establish a complete set of laws, institutions, and enforcement mechanisms, relying on these laws, institutions, and enforcement mechanisms to achieve control over the ruled class.

The army, police, courts, prisons, and other repressive institutions are important components of the state apparatus. There are also ideological state apparatuses, referring to eight institutions: religion, education, family, law, politics, trade unions, media, and culture.
Because they play a role in "cultural warfare" against the people in addition to "military intimidation," Althusser refers to them as ISAs.

The operation of the global state apparatus ensures the ruling class's dominance over the ruled class, thereby safeguarding the interests of the ruling class. When the ruled class's dissatisfaction with the ruling class reaches a certain level and resistance occurs, the state apparatus controlled by the ruling class will suppress the resistors. Among the many components of the state apparatus, the army is relatively special. It is not only one of the tools for the ruling class to implement dictatorship over the ruled class, but it is also a tool for the ruling class to expand externally and maintain national territory and sovereignty. In other words, the army has both internal and external functions, while other repressive institutions usually only have internal ruling functions.

The dominant ideology exists within the complex system of ideological state apparatuses. It is the result of a long and arduous class struggle. The bourgeoisie (taking it as an example) can only achieve its own goals in this struggle by meeting a dual condition: on the one hand, it must defeat the previously dominant ideology that remains within the old state apparatus, and on the other hand, it must simultaneously overcome the ideology of the new oppressed class that seeks its own organizational and struggle forms. The ideology that the bourgeoisie successfully established to lead the previous landlord aristocracy and the working class was not only through external struggles against these two classes but also—and simultaneously—through overcoming internal factional contradictions within the bourgeoisie and uniting the bourgeoisie as the ruling class.

We must understand the reproduction of the dominant ideology in this sense.

Formally, the ruling class must produce the material, political, and ideological conditions for its existence (existence means reproduction). However, the reproduction of the dominant ideology is not simply a replication, nor is it a simple reproduction, nor is it an automatic, mechanical expansion of existing institutions determined by its own functions. Rather, it is a struggle to unify and revive the earlier, fragmented, and contradictory ideological elements into a whole—this whole is precisely achieved through the class struggle against previous ideological forms and new ideological tendencies. The struggle for the reproduction of the ruling class's ideology is an endless struggle, always starting anew, and at any time subject to class struggle.
The process of unifying the dominant ideology is always "unfinished," always "must start anew," for several reasons. Not only because the previous ruling class's ideology and ideological state apparatus still have remnants that resist as fiercely as they can (Lenin called this "habit"). Not only due to the practical necessity of forming the unity of the ruling class, which is necessary for the fusion of the contradictions among various factions of the class (commercial capital, industrial capital, financial capital), but also necessary to express their "universal (class) interests" above the "special interests" of individual capitalists. Not only because class struggle must be initiated against the emerging ideological forms of the ruled class. Not only because the historical transformation of the mode of production forces the dominant ideology to constantly "adapt" to class struggle (the classical bourgeois legal ideology is currently being replaced by the ideology of expert governance). Moreover, because practice has materiality and diversity, the "spontaneous" ideologies arising from it must be continuously integrated. This vast and contradictory task has never been thoroughly completed, and we also doubt whether the utopian model of the "ethical state" proposed by Gramsci and Croce will ever exist. Just as class struggle will never be extinguished, the ruling class's struggle to unify existing ideological elements and forms will also never be extinguished. This means that the dominant ideology—even if it is its own function—can never completely overcome its own contradictions, which are a reflection of class struggle.
Thus, we can derive another argument from the priority of class struggle over the dominant ideology and ideological state apparatus, which is a direct result of the former:

• The ideological state apparatus must inevitably be the site and actual demand of class struggle, allowing the general class struggle that determines the configuration of social structure to continue within the dominant ideological machine. If the role of the ideological state apparatus is to promote the dominant ideology, it is precisely because there is resistance;
• If there is resistance, it is precisely because there is struggle, and this struggle is ultimately a direct or indirect echo of class struggle, sometimes close but more often distant.
• The events of May 68 vividly illustrate this fact and make a struggle that had been silent and suppressed until then visible. However, these events, while making a direct class struggle visible in the ideological state apparatus (especially in the school apparatus, and then in the medical apparatus, and in the construction of this apparatus), also somewhat blurred the fundamental that determined the current events, namely the historical composition of the dominant ideology and the class struggle characteristics inherent in its reproduction.
• No one has "experienced" the events of May 68 from this truly historical and political perspective. So, I think it must be reminded that if you want to understand the truth of class struggle in the ideological state apparatus and keep the rebellion within appropriate bounds, you must adopt the "reproductive perspective,"
  which views class struggle as an overall process, rather than understanding it as a mere sum of individual confrontations or limited to this or that "field" (economic, political, ideological) of confrontation; this perspective understands it as a historical process rather than the result of a series of events triggered by oppression or direct resistance.
  In reminding people of these perspectives, I find myself being accused of being a "functionalist," or being accused of providing a "systematic theory" explanation that favors a mechanical view of such processes regarding the superstructure and ideology that gave rise to our class struggle, which is indeed difficult to understand.

If the ideological state apparatus truly represents the ruling class's ideology, it must be realized in a form that represents the ruled class's ideology, which must be conducted in a form of struggle and confrontation. Therefore, various ideologies do not "birth" from the ideological state apparatus, but come from the various social classes that are struggling in class struggle: from their living conditions, their practices, their experiences of struggle, and so on.

There are many historically significant families around the world, some of which are known for their political, economic, cultural, and religious influence. Here are some notable families, categorized by region and field:

1. Europe#

• Rothschild Family
  The Rothschild family is renowned for its influence in banking, particularly in the 19th century. This family established extensive wealth and influence through banking across Europe and continues to have significant impact in the global financial sector.

• Hopkins Family
  Members of this family played important roles in finance, business, and government positions in both the United States and Europe, particularly in the UK.

• House of Windsor
  As the royal family of the United Kingdom, the Windsor family has a history spanning over a thousand years. To this day, members such as Charles III hold significant symbolic positions in the UK and Commonwealth nations.

• Medici Family
  The Medici family were financiers and politicians during the Italian Renaissance, dominating the politics and culture of Florence. Family members had a profound influence on art and culture during the Renaissance.

• Borgia Family
  The Borgia family was highly influential in 16th-century Italy and the Roman Catholic Church. Although known for their power and scandals, the family's influence in religion and politics cannot be overlooked.

2. Asia#

• Mitsubishi Family
  The Mitsubishi family is the founding family of Mitsubishi Group, one of Japan's largest multinational corporations. Mitsubishi Group is involved in various sectors, including automotive, finance, and chemicals.

• Samsung Family
  The Samsung Group is one of the world’s leading technology giants, and its founding Lee family has significant influence in South Korea's business and politics, especially in the technology and electronics sectors.

• Li Ka-Shing Family
  Li Ka-Shing is a business tycoon in Hong Kong who founded CK Hutchison Holdings, involved in real estate, retail, telecommunications, and more. His family is one of the wealthiest in Asia.

• Chen Guangbiao Family
  Chen Guangbiao is a Chinese entrepreneur involved in various industries, including environmental protection, charity, and media. He is known for his controversial business practices and large-scale charitable donations.

3. Middle East#

• Al Saud Family
  This is the ruling family of Saudi Arabia, which has had a profound influence in Saudi Arabia and the entire Middle East since the early 20th century. Members of this family hold political, military, and religious leadership positions in Saudi Arabia.

• Al Khalifa Family
  The Al Khalifa family is the ruling family of Bahrain, holding political and economic power in the country.

• Al Nahyan Family
  The Al Nahyan family rules the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, and is one of the most influential families in the UAE, also controlling oil wealth.

4. Americas#

• Kennedy Family
  As one of the most famous political families in American history, members of the Kennedy family have held multiple important political positions, including President John F. Kennedy and Senator Edward Kennedy.

• Roosevelt Family
  The Roosevelt family has a prominent position in American history, with two presidents—Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt—among its members, and the family has had a lasting influence in American politics, business, and culture.

• Murdoch Family
  The Murdoch family controls News Corporation, which owns many well-known media brands globally, including The Wall Street Journal and Fox News. Rupert Murdoch is the family leader and has a significant influence on global media.

• Ford Family
  The Ford family is one of the founders of the American automotive industry, with Henry Ford establishing the Ford Motor Company, which has had a profound impact on the global automotive industry.

5. Africa#

• Kenyatta Family
  This is an important political family in Kenya, with Jomo Kenyatta being the first president of Kenya, and his son Uhuru Kenyatta having served as president. The family has significant influence in Kenya's political and business sectors.

• Mandela Family
  The Mandela family is a famous political family in South Africa, with Nelson Mandela being one of its core figures, who made significant contributions to the struggle against apartheid and the democratization of South Africa.

In addition to the notable families mentioned above, there are many other historically significant families around the world. Here are some other families that have important influence in various regions and fields globally:

1. Europe#

• Bernard Arnault Family
  The Bernard Arnault family in France is a giant in the luxury goods industry, with founder Bernard Arnault being the chairman and CEO of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), the world's largest luxury goods company. The family has significant influence in high-end markets such as fashion, perfumes, and wines.

• De Rothschild Family
  The Rothschild family has deep influence not only in finance but also in the wine and real estate sectors. Besides the banking influence of the Rothschild family, the De Rothschild family also possesses significant wealth and influence in the wine industry.

• Lacroix Family
  The Lacroix family in France founded the well-known luxury brand "Christian Lacroix," and the family is influential in the fashion industry and closely related to French culture and art.

2. Asia#

• Lee Family
  The Lee family is an important family in Singapore's history. Lee Kuan Yew was the founding Prime Minister of Singapore, promoting the modernization and economic rise of the country. Family members are involved in politics, business, and public service, and the Lee family holds a significant position in Singapore's political and economic landscape.

• Honda Family
  The Honda family is the founding family of the famous Japanese automotive brand Honda. Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa are the founders of Honda, and their family has had a profound influence in the automotive industry in Japan and globally.

• Takata Family
  The Takata family is the founding family of Takata Corporation, a well-known manufacturer of automotive safety equipment. Takata was once a leading manufacturer of airbags and seatbelts, and despite its notorious reputation due to airbag recalls, the family's influence in automotive safety technology is undeniable.

3. Americas#

• Rockefeller Family
  The Rockefeller family is one of the wealthiest and most influential families in American history. The family's founder, John D. Rockefeller, established one of the world's largest oil empires through Standard Oil. The family continues to have significant influence in American politics, philanthropy, education, and more.

• Morgan Family
  The Morgan family is a financial giant in the United States, known for founding J.P. Morgan & Co. The Morgan family held a crucial position in the American financial sector during the 19th and early 20th centuries, and family members still have significant influence in global finance and business today.

• Pitt Family
  The Pitt family is one of the most famous political families in American history. The family's representative figure, William Pitt, served as Prime Minister of Great Britain and was closely connected to American politics. Although their influence is not as strong as in the past, the family's name is closely related to early American history and politics.

4. Africa#

• Derby Family
  The Derby family is a political family in Kenya, with representatives like Jomo Kenyatta, who played a significant role in the country's political and economic landscape.

• Bacchus Family
  The Bacchus family is a notable family in South Africa, with members including business tycoons and political figures. The family has had a profound impact on South Africa's history and culture, especially during the reform era.

• Obama Family
  Former U.S. President Barack Obama comes from this family. Although the Obama family is not a hereditary political family, its influence on global politics and culture is significant, especially in the historic election and reforms in the United States.

5. Middle East#

• Al Maktoum Family
  As the ruling family of Dubai, the Al Maktoum family holds significant positions in the Middle East, particularly in oil, real estate, and aviation. Family members have considerable power and wealth, and Dubai's economic rise is closely related to this family.

• Al Hamid Family
  The Al Hamid family is the ruling family of Oman, holding an important position in the country's politics and economy, influencing its foreign policy and domestic development.

• Al Thani Family
  The ruling family of Qatar, the Al Thani family has significant influence on the international stage, especially in the oil and gas sectors. The Qatari royal family plays an important role in global economic, sports, and cultural activities through its national wealth.

6. Latin America#

• Pinochet Family
  Although known for its authoritarian rule, the Pinochet family has had a significant impact on Chilean history. Augusto Pinochet was a dictator in Chile, and family members have had a notable influence in Chile's politics and society.

• Alvear Family
  The Alvear family in Argentina is one of the country's traditional political families, with members participating in significant political and military activities after Argentina's independence, influencing the political history of Argentina.

In addition to the historically influential families mentioned above, there are many other interesting families that have a place in global history due to their unique historical backgrounds, cultural contributions, or legendary figures. Here are some noteworthy families:

1. Artemis Family#

• Representative Figure: Artemis
• Influence: Although this family is not commonly known in history, the Artemis family is very prominent in mythology. Artemis is the goddess of hunting and the moon in ancient Greek mythology, often appearing alongside her brother Apollo. The legendary nature of the Artemis family spans many areas of ancient Greek culture, representing powerful feminine strength and sacred nature.

2. Fujiwara Clan#

• Representative Figures: Fujiwara no Michinaga, Fujiwara no Kanehira
• Influence: The Fujiwara clan is one of the most important noble families in Japanese history, holding significant political and cultural influence during the Heian period (794-1185). The Fujiwara clan gained actual control over the Japanese court through marriages with the imperial family, becoming one of the most powerful families in Japanese history. Fujiwara no Michinaga is one of the most famous members of the clan, who, at the height of his power, nearly controlled the entire Japanese political landscape.

3. House of Windsor#

• Representative Figures: Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III
• Influence: The House of Windsor is the ruling family of the UK and Commonwealth nations today, with a history spanning over a century. Although the family's name "Windsor" was modified (originally Saxe-Coburg and Gotha), its influence extends globally. Queen Elizabeth II was one of the longest-reigning monarchs in world history, and King Charles III's ascension marks the beginning of a new era.

4. Sforza Family#

• Representative Figures: Francesco Sforza, Ludovico Sforza
• Influence: The Sforza family was the ruling family of northern Italy's Milan during the Renaissance, with their power and wealth stemming from military conquests and political alliances. The family's rise represents the fierce competition and changes in the politics of Italian city-states at the time. The political acumen, military talent, and patronage of the arts by the Sforza family made Milan one of the important cultural centers of the Renaissance.

5. Genghis Khan Family#

• Representative Figures: Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan
• Influence: The Genghis Khan family is one of the most legendary families in history. Genghis Khan not only unified the Mongolian tribes but also established a vast empire spanning Eurasia. His descendants, such as Kublai Khan, continued to expand the empire's territory, establishing the Yuan dynasty and becoming rulers of China. The Genghis Khan family not only changed the history of China and Central Asia but also had a profound impact on the political landscape of the entire Eurasian continent.

6. House of Bourbon#

• Representative Figures: Louis XIV, Louis XVI
• Influence: The House of Bourbon is one of the most important dynasties in French history, especially during the reign of Louis XIV, when France became one of the most powerful countries in Europe. Louis XIV, known as the "Sun King," established absolute monarchy and transformed the Palace of Versailles into one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. The last king of the Bourbon family, Louis XVI, was executed during the French Revolution, marking the end of the French monarchy.

7. Julio-Claudian Dynasty#

• Representative Figures: Augustus, Nero, Tiberius
• Influence: The Julio-Claudian dynasty was the first dynasty of the Roman Empire, ruling for nearly a century. Members of this family, particularly Augustus, laid the foundation for the Roman Empire and initiated its golden age. Although some emperors, like Nero, are known for their tyranny, the legacy of this family is crucial to the history of the Roman Empire.

8. Hohenzollern Family#

• Representative Figures: Frederick the Great, Wilhelm II
• Influence: The Hohenzollern family ruled Prussia and later the German Empire. Their rule was particularly significant in the 18th and 19th centuries, with Frederick the Great's military genius and political vision making Prussia a major power in Europe. Wilhelm II was the German emperor during World War I, and his decisions provided important political context for the outbreak of the war.

9. House of Orange#

• Representative Figures: William I, William III
• Influence: The House of Orange is one of the most important families in Dutch history, especially during the Dutch War of Independence, with William I being called the father of the Netherlands. William III was not only the king of the Netherlands but also became the joint king of England, further strengthening the Netherlands' position in Europe. The House of Orange has had a profound impact on Dutch politics, economy, and culture.

10. Kennedy Family#

• Representative Figures: John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Edward Kennedy
• Influence: The Kennedy family is one of the most famous political families in the United States. John F. Kennedy, as the 35th President of the United States, profoundly influenced the political direction of the United States in the 20th century, especially during the Cold War. Although the Kennedy family has experienced tragic events (such as the assassination of the president and Robert Kennedy), their influence on American politics and society remains significant.

Of course, there are many other historically interesting families that have made significant contributions to history due to their unique backgrounds, cultural contributions, or legendary figures. Here are some more noteworthy families that have a place in global history:

11. Habsburg Family#

• Representative Figures: Charles V, Maria Theresa, Franz Joseph
• Influence: The Habsburg family is one of the most prominent noble families in European history, having long ruled the Holy Roman Empire, Austria, and Spain, among others. The founder Charles V's empire spanned Europe and the Americas, while Maria Theresa was an important empress whose reforms and management of the Austro-Hungarian Empire laid the groundwork for future prosperity. The Habsburg family's marriage policies (such as "expanding the empire through marriage") allowed them to control vast territories across Europe.

12. Rothschild Family#

• Representative Figures: Mayer Amschel Rothschild
• Influence: The Rothschild family is one of the most famous banking families in the world, with members establishing a vast banking empire in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The family's wealth and financial network influenced the political and economic landscape of Europe. Family members participated in many significant historical events, including post-war reconstruction, mining, and railway development.

13. Medici Family#

• Representative Figures: Lorenzo de' Medici, Cosimo de' Medici
• Influence: The Medici family was one of the most influential families during the Italian Renaissance, especially centered in Florence. They not only achieved great success in finance and business but also actively sponsored the development of art, science, and literature. Lorenzo de' Medici is known as the "Patron of the Renaissance," and his family's patronage allowed artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael to create world-famous works.

14. Gorky Family#

• Representative Figure: Maxim Gorky
• Influence: Maxim Gorky was a famous Russian writer and social activist, making significant contributions to literature and being an important supporter of the Russian Revolution. Gorky's works revealed social issues in Russia at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and had a profound impact on the ideology of the proletariat. His family is known for its literary and intellectual background and held a certain political position during the Soviet period.

15. Gandhi Family#

• Representative Figures: Mohandas Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi
• Influence: The Gandhi family has had a profound influence on India's independence movement and modern Indian politics. Mohandas Gandhi was the leader of the Indian independence movement, advocating for non-violent protest and successfully leading India to break free from British colonial rule. Members of the Gandhi family, especially Nehru and Indira Gandhi, have also played significant roles in Indian politics. Indira Gandhi was not only the first female Prime Minister of India but also remembered for her leadership during the nation's development.

16. Corleone Family#

• Representative Figures: Vito Corleone, Michael Corleone
• Influence: The Corleone family is a fictional family in Mario Puzo's novel "The Godfather," but their story has had a widespread impact globally. This family represents the history and culture of Italian-American crime families and the influence of the Mafia on American society. Although fictional, the story of the Corleone family has become deeply ingrained in popular culture and is considered a classic in film history.

17. Bourbaki Family#

• Representative Figure: Nicolas Bourbaki
• Influence: The Bourbaki family does not refer to a traditional noble family but rather a group of French mathematicians in the early 20th century who collaborated under the pseudonym "Bourbaki" to promote the modernization of mathematics. The Bourbaki group proposed many concepts of axiomatization in mathematics and had a profound impact on the foundations and development of mathematics.

18. Roosevelt Family#

• Representative Figures: Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Influence: The Roosevelt family is one of the most important political families in the United States, particularly in the 20th century. Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States, known for his reform spirit and active foreign policy. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd President, leading the United States through the Great Depression and World War II. The political legacy of the Roosevelt family is crucial to modern American history.

19. House of Asturias#

• Representative Figure: Ferdinand of Asturias
• Influence: The House of Asturias is an important royal family in the early history of Spain, especially during the early formation of the Spanish kingdom. The members of the Asturias family played a significant role in the unification of Spain and the establishment of the Spanish monarchy.

20. Keita Dynasty of the Mali Empire#

• Representative Figure: Sundiata Keita
• Influence: The Keita family is the royal family of the Mali Empire, which was one of the most powerful empires in West Africa during the 13th to 16th centuries. The founder Sundiata Keita is known as the "Lion King" and is credited with unifying the Mali Empire and promoting trade and culture in the region.

These families, whether through their historical status, cultural achievements, or legendary figures, have left a profound mark on world history. Their stories showcase how families can shape history and influence the world through wisdom, power, wealth, or belief.