Concept of Ideology

Dr. Ahmad Reza Taheri

      An ideology has almost the same characteristics as those hold by any religion.

The debate on Ideology cannot be confined to few hours of discussion or few pages. It is a complex social institution. However, here I have planned to summarize it as much as possible. So, let me start with the concept of ideology.

      In its simplest term, ideology is a set of ideas that an economic, social, or political system is based on. It is a set of beliefs, especially one held by a particular group that influences the way people behave. Let us mention some of its major examples, such as fascism, liberalism, marxism, nationalism, etc. However, there is one more example, which has been a controversial point of debate among various scholars; the one that may not be considered as an ideology by many, but may be considered by some others. It is religion.

      Most of social scientists hold that it was around 1780s in Europe particularly in France where ideology became important. In India, ideology became important in 1850s. The reason, as stated by many, is because prior to that people did not matter much in politics, and after that people mattered most in politics. In France, we had French revolution, for example.

      Nevertheless, I believe, ideology has been important right from the beginning of human society. We had/have religion, in any shape, as a form of ideology. It is the longest-lived ideology. Let us take example of Islam. Muslims believe that God has sent Islam to human beings through its messenger, Mohammad.

      Here, another question may come up as "why religion can be regarded as ideology?"

      An ideology has almost the same characteristics as those hold by any religion. For example, A. an ideology is a well-organized social institution that gives us values and promises. B. an ideology claims that it has exclusive control over truth --- whatever it holds is true. C. ideology gives its followers final solution. D. almost every ideology is very slow and resistance to change. E. ideology is a mobilizational force that pushes people into social and political units. F. ideology is like a filter through which one can see the world. G. ideology provides us with an overall prescription. H. it gives spirit to individuals/groups/societies, it gives us a sense of direction, a sense of identity, and meaning to life.

      Any religion more or less follows these principles. Islam, for instance, regards for all these above-mentioned factors. It gives identity and direction to the Muslims, without which, life for Muslims can be meaningless, as they themselves believe.   

      What is the difference between ideology and philosophy? In this context, we can simply say that philosophy studies the origin and development of ideology. Philosophy may not push people into socio-political forces, but ideology is capable of mobilizing the masses. More importantly, it justifies the claim to power.

      Is ideology good or bad? The direct answer is that any ideology consists of negative and positive aspects. In 1950s, it was told, "ideology has come to an end." In End of Ideology, as Suhash Palshikar points to his students, “the basic argument in the book is that in the modern developed states of the west, the attraction of extreme ideologies such as fascism has ended. Gradually, the attraction of extreme ideologies also will end in the rest of the world. Thus, we do not require ideology, because reality can be understood through social sciences; the author holds that the decline of ideology is a good thing. However, some critics have come up, as follows. Firstly, ideology has not ended in the developed states of the west. We have capitalism, and after 9/11 we have Asian harassment. Secondly, through social sciences, one may understand reality methodically and scientifically, but social sciences lack power to mobilize the masses. Thirdly, ideology ends only when modern politics ends.”

      Professor Palshikar continues, "the author of this book (End of Ideology) says that ideology is important in undeveloped states of the world". But, it has been proved that ideology plays a vital role even in the developed states/societies. This book, as Palshikar says, presupposes the victory of liberalism and sees liberalism as the ultimate ideology. This is also closely linked with the debate in the End of History, a book by a Japanese-American writer, who argues, “no new idea can come up and if something comes up, it comes under the umbrella of liberalism.”

      Every ideology is political in nature. According to late Professor Rajendra Vora, “ideology gives one the sixth sense, without which one cannot understand politics. Political ideology gives us an eye, which ordinary people may lack that." Equipped with this, one can see inside politics.

      Any ideology has three major objectives. 1. an interpretation of history: whether it can be correct or incorrect is another debate.  2. a critic of the present. 3. a view of the future. For these one must have an organized set of ideas.

      We need ideology, because we live with it and die with it.

Notes

This is the full text of the presentation given by Ahmad Reza Taheri to a group of Iranian research (PhD) scholars, university lecturers, and Iranian leadership representatives, at the Department of Economics (an academic meeting), University of Pune, on 06/01/2007.

This presentation is basically based on the class lectures given by Professor Vora and Professor Palshikar (2004-2006), two Indian political scientists. For more information on "ideology", see, the following readings.

Beitz, Charles R. Political Theory and International Relations, Rev. ed. Princeton University Press, 1999.

Ebenstein, William, and Edwin Fogelman, Today's Isms: Communism, Fascism, Capitalism, Socialism., 10th ed., Prentice Hall, 1993.

Portis, Edward B., Reconstructing the Classics: Political Theory from Plato to Marx, 2nd ed., Seven Bridges Press, 1998.

Sheldon, Garrett Ward, Encyclopedia of Political Thought, Facts on File, 2001 (Encompasses Western, Indian, Islamic, and Chinese thought).

 Source: Taheri Ahmad Reza, Towards Mental Reforms (Lulu.com Publication, 2009),pp. 145-150.