1.2.3 Characteristics of Ideology
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1.2.3 Characteristics of Ideology
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While they may hold different beliefs, ideologies tend to share certain
common characteristics. Recognizing these can be very important to gain a
better understanding of each ideology, and what sets them apart from
other sets of beliefs. Most ideologies possess certain beliefs about:
- Human Nature: Whether most people hold essentially good or bad intentions
- Social Structure: How society should be structured based on equality or hierarchy.
- Interpretations of history: Whether history has lessons for present society, or should be disregarded as simply 'the past.'
- Visions of the future: What the future should look like in terms of political and economic structures.
Read "Themes and Characteristics of Ideology", pages 48 to 50 in Perspectives on Ideology; stop at the heading "The Themes of Ideology" on page 50.
As you read, take notes on each of these characteristics of ideology.
The beliefs and ideas promoted by an ideology are often supported by rituals, heroic figures, and important documents such as constitutions, famous speeches, and national anthems. Heroic figures may include noted leaders or military figures who fought
and died protecting the values and beliefs associated with the ideology. Others include now famous thinkers or leaders that seem to characterize or emulate the ideology.
The image to the right is a statue of Kim Il Sung, former dictator of communist North Korea. His memory is revered by many North Koreans who refer to him as the "Great Leader". The dates of his birth and his death are national holidays. North Korea abolished the position of president after his death so he could be named "the eternal President of the Republic". He is often connected to North Korea's totalitarian dictatorship.
The image to the right is a statue of Kim Il Sung, former dictator of communist North Korea. His memory is revered by many North Koreans who refer to him as the "Great Leader". The dates of his birth and his death are national holidays. North Korea abolished the position of president after his death so he could be named "the eternal President of the Republic". He is often connected to North Korea's totalitarian dictatorship.
© John Pavelka, Flickr "Paying Their Respects". North Koreans gather to pay respects for former North Korean leader Kim Il Sung at the Masudae Grande Monument in Pyongyang.
Example: A Canadian Ritual
Ritual or traditions can also have an important role in reinforcing ideology. For example, the opening of a session of Canada's democratic Parliament is highly ritualized. On the first day of Parliament following an election, a person called the Usher of the
Black Rod walks ceremonially to the doors of the House of Commons and raps three times on the door with an ornate black rod. The newly elected Members of Parliament are invited to the Senate Chamber where the Queen's representative, the Governor-General,
reads the Speech from the Throne.
All of this is based on the democratic tradition taken from the British.
Why does the Governor-General not come to the larger House of Commons instead of making 338 MPs walk to the smaller Senate Chamber? The Governor-General, as the monarch's representative, is not allowed into the House of Commons because the chamber
is considered to be the house of the common or ordinary people.
In 1642, King Charles I entered the British House of Commons with the intention of arresting five MPs. Since then, neither monarchs nor their representatives have been allowed into the House of Commons in Britain or in Canada. Despite the fact that Canada's Governor-General is unlikely to order soldiers to arrest elected MPs, the ritual of excluding royal representatives is maintained because it symbolizes the freedom of the people's representatives to make laws without fear of retribution from an unelected king or queen.
In 1642, King Charles I entered the British House of Commons with the intention of arresting five MPs. Since then, neither monarchs nor their representatives have been allowed into the House of Commons in Britain or in Canada. Despite the fact that Canada's Governor-General is unlikely to order soldiers to arrest elected MPs, the ritual of excluding royal representatives is maintained because it symbolizes the freedom of the people's representatives to make laws without fear of retribution from an unelected king or queen.
Credit: Public Domain, image from the Senate of Canada