Ideology

Ideology is a set of ideas and beliefs that organizes a view of the world, including values, norms, and theories about political, economic, and social relations. It serves to interpret phenomena, justify actions, and guide political and social behavior.

The term originated in the late 18th century; French philosopher Destutt de Tracy coined ideologie as the science of ideas, later shortened to ideology. In contemporary usage, it denotes a coherent worldview or system of beliefs, often tied to political movements.

Core components include beliefs about human nature, society, and the ideal order; values and priorities; and prescriptions for action, institutions, and policy. Ideologies provide a cognitive map, frame problems, identify solutions, and mobilize support.

Political ideologies—liberalism, conservatism, socialism, nationalism, feminism, etc.—are organized sets of beliefs about government, economy, and social life. They can be normative (how things ought to be) and programmatic (the means to achieve it) and may be adopted by individuals or groups.

Outside politics, ideology can refer to religious, cultural, or educational belief systems that shape identities and forms of authority. The term is also used in critical analysis to refer to the ideological content that supports power, legitimacy, or domination.

Critiques address issues of abstraction, determinism, and the masking of power relations. Marxist and critical theorists argue that ideologies reflect class interests; Gramsci introduced hegemony; Louis Althusser discussed interpellation and ideological state apparatuses.