Origin: Greek suffix -ology
Ideology has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group or nation
"The ruling party adopted an ideology that deeply characterized the thinking of the entire nation."
imaginary or visionary theorization
"The revolutionary group followed an ideology that was more of an imaginary vision than a practical plan for change."
Doctrine, philosophy, body of beliefs or principles belonging to an individual or group.
"The new political party adopted a distinct ideology centered on free-market economics and limited government intervention."
In plain English: An ideology is a set of beliefs that people hold about how society should work and what values are most important.
"His political ideology shaped how he voted in every election."
Usage: Use ideology to describe the shared system of ideas and political beliefs that guide a specific group's actions rather than personal opinions. This term often distinguishes organized worldviews from casual preferences when discussing social movements or governance.
The word ideology was coined in French in 1796 from the prefix ideo- and the suffix -logie, combining to mean "the science of ideas." Its modern sense shifted around the early 1800s when Napoleon Bonaparte used a related term as an insult against his political opponents, leading it to refer to any set of doctrines or beliefs.