Political ideology: what it is and what it eats

Political ideology is one of the most influential forms of political consciousness, the impact of which is aimed at the content of power relations. This concept first appeared in the 18th century. Since that time, various scientific approaches to this phenomenon have begun to take shape. The first time this term was used in 1796 by the French philosopher D. de Tracy, who defined political ideology as a science of ideas, existing for the purpose of studying their origin in society. Ideology proclaims the political values of a certain group of people and puts forward the desire of the same group to leadership.

It is necessary to highlight the main functions of political ideology, that is, those necessary changes that must occur in the minds of citizens with its help:

1. Orientational. The process guides the subjects of politics in the value system of a particular social group.

2. Mobilization. Ideology regulates political activity and indicates its principles to followers.

3. Integrating. The system rejects private interests and serves as a uniting element in a particular social group.

Let's notice that the political ideology, along with the basic functions, performs a number of additional:

1. Legitimacy of power.

2. Cognitive function. Ideology, being a reflection of the society that produced it, carries in itself real life problems and contradictions. Its designs are a natural form in which groups recognize their position.

3. Normative. Different ideological currents create many normative guidelines.

4. Constructive, the essence of which is most fully manifested during the adoption of the political program.

5. Compensatory. Political ideologists not only give social significance to action, but also instill hope for a successful change in the way of life, thus compensating for social discontent and discomfort of existence.

Political ideology acts as a method of political development of society. The fact is that its dominant form takes root in the constitution of the state, thus becoming a state ideology.

Let us note that political ideology is understood as a system of ideas that are aimed at expressing the interests of all subjects of political activity and creating a theoretical basis for organized political decisions. Its design is carried out through a theory, which is then specified in party programs and already has an impact on real politics.

Any political ideology is analyzed according to two plans:

1. Explicit, the essence of which is presented in openly put forward ideas and requirements.

2. Hidden, i.e. Here are recorded those interests that are protected and represent a specific political ideology.

The thing is that at the present time many social actors represent their ideology as a set of interests of the whole society, but they do not speak specifically about those whose desires they protect and represent.

A feature of ideology in politics is that it focuses on expressing the needs of a meaningful social subject. As a rule, the matter concerns political and economic interests. Thus, political ideology has the aim of economic interest and a power-financial political essence. Of course, the goals can be not only global, but also local. However, their essence remains unchanged.

All political ideologies have a huge potential, through which you can manipulate the public consciousness. And they will exist as long as there is a socially stratified society in nature.