OUTLINE AND CONTEXTUALIZE THE CONCEPT OF IDEOLOGY

Ideology as a concept is that many have failed to get a clear definition of because of its abstract
nature. Many historians have attempted to find a clear definition of this concept. In turn, this essay
will chronicle and provide the circumstances that led to the appearance of this concept. Thus, the
essay will firstly account the history of the of the introduction of ideology as a concept. In doing this
this essay will highlight significant thinkers in this discussion. As well as detailing the historical
context in which they were in whilst discussing this concept.

The term ideology was invented by Antione Louise Destutt de Tracy. Who first used it in an attempt
to introduce as a new science ideas an overturn the old systemization of ideas. He was trying to
replace the old knowledge with a new kind of knowledge that was grounded in empirical facts. In his
version of ideology, the concept would not be a metaphysical science but one that would
demonstrate that empirical fact could be used to explain human thought. The time that this was
being written was during the enlightenment period. This period was that was characterized by
revolutions in all areas be it art or science. These revolutions brought in the idea of striping people
of the western Europe from medieval views and bringing in modern ones. Thus, bettering people
and more importantly the individual positively.

To add on to the concept of ideology were the thinkers Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels. They
digressed from Antione views on ideology and thought that ideology was the superstructure of
civilization. Furthermore, that ideology characterizes ideas of consciousness and concepts including
metaphysics. They argued that these ideas are mostly held by the ruling class this would then allow
for exploitation of a disempowered group. As Engels (1932) states, the ruling ideas are nothing
more than the ideal expression of dominant material relationships grasped as ideas. Marx and
Engel were both products of pre-unification Germany and the liberal nationalism in Germany. This
period of 1840s saw widespread revolutions across Europe and allowed saw the emergence of
communism by Marx and Engels. They held this pessimistic view of ideology because they thought it
would usher in ideal capitalism at the time.

Building on the Marxist view of ideology were the Marxist theorists were Antonio Gramsci and
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. Gramsci looked at the idea of ideological hegemony in which one prominent
class exercises power of another in a hegemonic system. He argues that this system should all the
ruling ideas that are used are true but are still useful in the fight of class struggles.

The post-world war 2 era saw the emergence of the notion that ideology was dead. One
supporter of this was the philosopher Karl Popper who regarded ideologies as simple minded. He
placed emphasis on natural science and empirical fact. Daniel Bell similarly to Popper held the
view that ideologies were similar to a secular religion. Bell (1960) states, This commitment to
ideologythe yearning for a cause, or the satisfaction of deep moral feelingsis not necessarily the
reflection of interests in the shape of ideas. Ideology, in this sense, and in the sense that we use it
here, is a secular religion. Both lived during the eras of the two world wars and cold wars
respectively. It is easy to see how all these major world events that were informed strong
ideological views can influence these thinkers to discredit ideology.

Francis Fukuyama who was influenced by the context of the end of the cold war argued that the
only concept of ideology that was of significant was liberal democracy capitalism because it was
the only one that was evident at the time and had survived throughout history. Fukuyama (2006)
states, What we are witnessing, is not just the end of the cold war, or a passing of a particular
period of post-war history, but the end of history as such: that is, the end point of mankind's
ideological evolution and the universalisation of western liberal democracy as the final form of
human government." In the sense that the world would only find peace and an equilibrium when
every adopted this ideology. He was writing this during the cold war when much of the narrative was
liberal democracy being the best option for the world and that no one was free until they adopted
this ideology.

In summary, it is evident that the concept of ideology is a contested one. It being abstract has
allowed for many interpretations ad it is clear that various historical contexts have influenced have
informed how it is defined. Therefore the concept of ideology will never be standalone but depends
on the interpretations of the one who conceptualizes it.
Reference list
Bell, D., 1960. The end of ideology (Vol. 3). New York: Free Press.

Fukuyama, F., 2006. The end of history and the last man. Simon and Schuster.

Marx, K. and Engels, F., 1972. The german ideology (Vol. 1). International Publishers Co.