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The Term ideology coined in 1796 by French philosopher: Destutt de Tracy. He used it
to refer to a new science of ideas to uncover the origin of conscious through ideas.
Ideology is defined in a neutral sense as a set of ideas that provides a basis
for organised political action. Ideology represents political philosophy and at the
operative level they take the form of political movements.
Francis Bacon explains ideology to be that which is aimed at serving people, freeing their
minds from prejudice and preparing, them for the sovereignty of reason. Ideology may mean
many actions or oriented theory aimed to approach politics in the light of a system of ideas.
Ideology is an interrelated set of ideas that in some way guides and inspires Political action
(Heywood,2002).
Ideology is a-reasonable Coherence structure of thought shared by a group of people. It
is a means of explaining how society works and explaining how it ought to work
(Dobson, 1592).
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels were influential thinkers in the field of political theory, and
they had a particular perspective on the nature and function of political ideology.

Marx and Engels defined political ideology as a set of ideas and beliefs that reflect the
interests of a particular class or group within society. They argued that ideologies are shaped
by the dominant economic system, and that they serve to legitimize the status quo and
maintain the existing distribution of power and resources.

According Heywood, political ideology can be defined as a set of ideas, beliefs, and values
that individuals and groups hold about politics and the role of government in society. Political
ideologies provide a framework for understanding and evaluating political events and issues,
and they can influence political behaviour and decision-making.

The term "ideology" was first coined by Antoine Destutt de Tracy, a French philosopher, in
the late 18th century. De Tracy used the term to refer to a "science of ideas," which he
believed could help to clarify the principles and values that underlie human thought and
action.

De Tracy's concept of ideology was heavily influenced by the Enlightenment-era emphasis

on reason and rationality. He saw ideology as a way of analysing and understanding the
social and political systems of his time, with the ultimate goal of improving them through
rational inquiry and debate.

Over time, the meaning of the term "ideology" evolved to encompass a broader range of
beliefs and values, including political and social ideologies. Today, the term is widely used to
refer to any set of ideas or beliefs that shape the way individuals or groups understand and
engage with the world around them.
Political ideology refers to a set of beliefs, values, and ideas about how a society should be
organized and governed. Political ideologies typically address issues such as the role of
government, the distribution of power and wealth, individual rights and freedoms, and social
justice.

The concept of political ideology has its roots in the Enlightenment era of the 18th century,
when philosophers and political thinkers began to question traditional forms of authority and
to propose new models of governance based on reason and individual liberty. This period saw
the emergence of thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Adam Smith,
who developed influential ideas about the nature of government, the social contract, and the
relationship between the individual and the state.

The concept of political ideology also gained momentum during the 19th century, as various
social and political movements emerged in response to the industrialization and
modernization of Western societies. These movements, including socialism, liberalism,
conservatism, and anarchism, offered competing visions of how society should be organized
and how power should be distributed.

In the 20th century, political ideology became even more entrenched as a means of
understanding and shaping politics, particularly in the context of the rise of totalitarianism,
fascism, and communism. Today, political ideology continues to play a significant role in
shaping political discourse and policy debates around the world.
Types of ideology

There are many different types of political ideology, each with its own set of beliefs, values,
and principles. Here are some of the most common types:

Liberalism: Liberalism is an ideology that emphasizes individual freedom, democracy, and

the rule of law. Liberals believe that government should protect individual rights and
freedoms, promote economic opportunity and social welfare, and ensure equal treatment
under the law.

Conservatism: Conservatism is an ideology that emphasizes traditional values, social order,

and limited government. Conservatives believe that government should protect individual
liberties and property rights, promote free markets and economic growth, and preserve
traditional institutions and values.

Socialism: Socialism is an ideology that emphasizes social and economic equality, and
collective ownership and control of the means of production. Socialists believe that
government should play a strong role in regulating the economy and promoting social
welfare.

Fascism: Fascism is an ideology that emphasizes extreme nationalism, authoritarianism, and

a hierarchical social order. Fascists believe in the superiority of their own race or nation, and
often use violence and repression to maintain their power.

Anarchism: Anarchism is an ideology that emphasizes individual freedom and the abolition
of all forms of government and hierarchy. Anarchists believe that people should be free to
govern themselves without the need for external authority.

Communism: Communism is an ideology that emphasizes the abolition of private property,

and the establishment of a classless society in which goods and services are distributed
according to need. Communists believe that government should play a strong role in
regulating the economy and promoting social equality.

Here are some common features of ideology:

Worldview: Ideology is a comprehensive worldview that provides a framework for

understanding society, politics, and human nature. It shapes individuals' beliefs about the
nature of reality, what is valuable and important, and how society should be organized.
Normative: Ideology is normative in nature, meaning it involves a set of values and principles
that guide individuals' judgments about what is good and just in society. Ideologies often
provide a set of moral or ethical standards that guide behaviour and decision-making.

Political: Ideology is inherently political; in that it involves beliefs about the nature and role
of government in society. Ideologies often provide a vision for how government should be
organized, what its functions should be, and how it should interact with other institutions and
actors in society.

Ideologies are contested: Ideologies are often contested, meaning there are different
interpretations of what constitutes the core values and principles of a given ideology.
Different groups and individuals may hold competing or conflicting views on what the goals
of a particular ideology should be and how they should be achieved.

Ideologies are dynamic: Ideologies are not static, but rather are subject to change over time.
Ideologies may evolve in response to changing social, economic, and political conditions, and
may be influenced by new ideas and developments in other fields.

Ideologies are often organized: Ideologies are often organized into political movements or
parties, which seek to promote and implement their particular vision of society through
political action and policy-making

Features of political ideology:

Marx and Engels believed that political ideologies are characterized by several features,
including:
They reflect the interests of particular social groups or classes.
They are influenced by the dominant economic system and the distribution of power within
society.
They offer a particular interpretation of history and the way the world works.
They provide a framework for understanding social and political issues, and offer solutions to
perceived problems.

Types of political ideology:

Marx and Engels focused primarily on two broad categories of political ideology:
Bourgeois ideology: This refers to the ideas and beliefs that reflect the interests of the
capitalist class, and that serve to legitimize the existing economic system.
Proletarian ideology: This refers to the ideas and beliefs of the working class, and is grounded
in the struggle for social and economic justice.

Functions of political ideology:

Marx and Engels argued that political ideology serves a specific function within society,
which is to justify the existing distribution of power and resources. By offering a particular
interpretation of history and social relations, ideology can help to maintain the status quo and
prevent challenges to existing power structures. However, they also saw the potential for
ideology to be used to mobilize oppressed groups and challenge the dominant order, leading
to social change and revolution.
Features of political ideology include:
Comprehensive: Political ideologies often offer a comprehensive view of society, politics,
and human nature. They seek to explain the world in a coherent and systematic way.

Normative: Political ideologies are normative in nature, meaning they express ideals and
values about how society should be organized and governed.

Prescriptive: Political ideologies are prescriptive, meaning they offer specific policy
proposals and solutions to political problems.

Types of political ideology include:

Conservatism: A political ideology that emphasizes traditional values, limited government,

and free-market capitalism.

Liberalism: A political ideology that emphasizes individual freedom, equality, and social
welfare programs.

Socialism: A political ideology that advocates for greater economic equality and the
collective ownership of resources.

Communism: A political ideology that seeks to establish a classless society by eliminating

private property and the market economy.

Anarchism: A political ideology that rejects the concept of a centralized government and
seeks to create a society based on voluntary associations and mutual aid.

Fascism: A political ideology that emphasizes a strong authoritarian government,

nationalistic values, and the suppression of individual rights in favor of the collective good.

Functions of political ideology include:

Providing a framework for understanding and evaluating political events and issues.

Guiding political behaviour and decision-making.

Mobilizing and organizing individuals and groups around common political goals and values.

Providing a basis for political identity and affiliation.

REFERENCES

Dobson, (1592).

Heywood, (2002)

Facilitating political debate and discourse. Heywood, A. (2017). Political Ideologies: An

Introduction. Palgrave Macmillan.

Eatwell, R., & Goodwin, M. (2018). National Populism: The Revolt Against Liberal
Democracy. Pelican Books.
Lukes, S. (2005). Power: A Radical View. Palgrave Macmillan.

Marx, K., & Engels, F. (1848). The Communist Manifesto. Penguin Classics.

Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.

Weber, M. (1919). Politics as a Vocation. In H. H. Gerth & C. Wright Mills (Eds.), From
Max Weber: Essays in Sociology. Routledge.

Wood, E. M. (1995). Democracy Against Capitalism: Renewing Historical Materialism.

Cambridge University Press.