Light

Ideology

Definition

An ideology is a set of beliefs, values, and ideas that guide individuals or groups in their social, political, or economic thinking. It provides a framework for understanding the world and shaping behavior.

Analogy

Think of ideology as the "software" that runs on the "hardware" of society. Just like how different operating systems shape how a computer functions, ideologies shape how people perceive and interact with the world.

Related terms

Nationalism: Nationalism is an ideology that emphasizes loyalty and devotion to one's own nation or ethnic group. It often promotes unity and independence.

Communism: Communism is an ideology based on the idea of common ownership of resources and the absence of social classes. It advocates for a classless society where wealth is distributed equally among all members.

Fascism: Fascism is an authoritarian nationalist ideology characterized by dictatorial power, strong centralized control, suppression of opposition, and often involves aggressive nationalism.