1.2.2 Defining Ideology



Portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft by John Opie, circa 1790-1791, Photographed by Tate Britain. Public Domain

 

The Oxford dictionary defines ideology as a 'system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of political and economic theory or policy.'  Historically, the word ideology comes from the root word ide "idea" and the suffix -ology meaning "the study of...". 

Ideology refers to the complex system of values and beliefs each of us holds about the world, the way it operates, and our place within it. Essentially, it helps us filter how we see, and then interact, with others.

By categorizing sets of beliefs into ideologies, we can discuss the similarities and differences that exist within our communities and between other societies.


Consider the following perspectives about ideology:


Ideology invariably leads to hatred. You hate people who don't share your ideology. You regard them as evil and, therefore, worthy to be crushed or else you regard them as "lost" and, therefore, they must be "saved"-even if it calls for crushing them. We see with the fanatical embrace of one's ideology the various schisms, demigod wannabes, divisions, dogmatism. I now truly believe it is an inherent problem. And it is beyond me why so-called "independent thinkers" would wish to ascribe to themselves some form of "ism"-a system of thought founded by someone else. Irony abounds.

Victor Pross, British Columbia artist

Ideology is usually defined as a body of ideas reflecting the social needs and aspirations of an individual, group, class, or culture. The term is generally associated with politics and party platforms, but it can also mean a given set of values that are implicit in any human enterprise.

Louis Giannetti, Understanding Movies

When we think of an ideology in this more dynamic sense, we mean much the same thing as that when we use such expressions as "outlook on life", "general attitude of mind", "mode of thought", "intellectual position", "Weltanschauung", "mental standpoint", "method of approach", "general viewpoint", and so on.

Harold Walsby, The Domain of Ideologies

Typically, an ideology is the creation of some identifiable group (political, cultural, economic) for the purpose of spreading or maintaining its perspective on reality among themselves and others.

Austin Cline 

Ideological beliefs and values are so fundamental to our self-image (both as individuals and as cultures) that they are taken as "natural and inevitable". In other words, we generally assume that the tenets we hold are true, natural, and universal. Indeed, there are ideologies that uphold the status quo or "dominant" ideologies. On the other hand, there are also ideologies that are not mainstream, and these are sometimes labeled "subversive". However, because each of us is unique, no set of ideological beliefs is absolute.

Elanna Starr, Villanova University


Focus on the Issue Question
What do the authors think about ideologies?  
 
As you learn more about ideologies, in theory and practice, you will be closer to answering this issue question:
To what extent should we embrace an ideology?