What is ideology?

The American Heritage Dictionary defines ideology as, an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group or a nation The definition continues on to define orientation as an integrated set of attitudes and beliefs. How a group, nation or person develops its attitudes and beliefs, whether overtly or subconsciously, it will affect how they interpret the texts they research, write or read. Meaning it will define the person or groups ideology. The overt development of an ideology may seem simplistic. For example, a person who chooses to adopt a specific political ideology assumes that he or she is making a reasoned decision to support an ideology that he has seen, heard or researched. This reasoned decision then allows the person to favorably review his groups view of political ideology when he interprets texts describing political issues. For example a person may support the general political ideology of a specific political party. Such person when reading a text about the contested issue is likely to allow his chosen political ideological orientation to color his interpretation of texts. For example, a self identified adherent to the political ideology of a specific political party is more likely to agree with an idea or thought presented by someone with a similar political ideology, as opposed to fully exploring the merits of such argument before agreeing or disagreeing. In fact political partys count on this when urging a voter to vote for their candidate, particularly if the voter is uninformed about a candidate or the issues on which they are voting. A more complex inquiry is how a persons subconscious develops an ideology and how it affects the material he chooses to read and how he interprets the texts.

Regardless of what one may consciously think, our language, actions and education will always be influenced by outside factors. The language we speak, the actions we take and the education we receive will always present a basic system of beliefs and assumptions that are its foundations. It is impossible for someone to give or receive information with total neutrality; there are edits in all the information received from others. This subconscious affect on ones ideology and how it impacts what we read, how we read and what we think is something many people may not take into account when learning. Where did these ideals originate? Why? Delving into ideology one may find that the ideas that present day society deems correct may be looked upon in the future as completely outlandish. Education, including textbooks and standardized test such as the Standardized Achievement Test (SAT) along with the written works will be examined in light of subconscious impact of the writers on such works. Education levels are undoubtedly at the highest they have ever been and this trend will likely continue. However in tracing education and the curriculum taught, we may find that the concept of biased ideology is much more common than originally thought possible. Those in power prepare curriculum, textbooks and other teachings. The Anglo-Saxon race dominated the early development of American culture. Their ideology influenced not only what was taught but also how it was taught and in particular who was allowed to learn to read or be educated at all. The ideology and influence of others, including African Americans, Native Americans and Latin Americans, were relegate to a minor if any role in teachings. Further, the early

history of the Americas was constructed with a pro Anglo- Saxon ideology. This ideology was at the forefront of almost all of the historical writings of the time and in turn became the history curriculum for hundreds of years. The generations that followed absorbed and believed in the ideals taught by their ancestors. Today the United States as a nation denounces racism in its society and in others around the world. Hate crimes are punishable by extended jail sentences. Legal actions are common against those who are caught planning or participating in a hate crime. The very definition of hate crime continues to expand in our society. Strict hate crime laws now protect many groups who were ostracized by society thirty (30) years ago. It should be noted that this is a relatively new phenomenon and by its very definition carries bias. Todays texts continue to include biased ideology. An example of the above theory can be seen in a study conducted by two professors at the University of Texas, Austin in 2010. In reviewing race and racism in fifteen current social studies textbooks they found striking results. There was a clear focus on heroic black individuals, including Martin Luther King and Harriet Tubman. However, when it came to the story of slavery the textbooks described the individual that partook in these racist activities as not representing society as a whole. The text used the idea of certain bad actors living in a society that generally did not agree with the acts to soften the overt racist ideology of the time. This bias was then programmed into future generations who did not factor into their learning process the ideological influences of those who chose the curriculum and the writers who drafted the text.

The problem of hidden ideology by its very nature is difficult to detect since it most often occurs unconsciously. Because the information taught to the drafters of the text included Anglo-Saxon ideology the writers text often was tainted with the same bias. The longer this continued the more the biased ideology become entrenched in the curriculum and was accepted by readers as neutral fact. This unconscious influence continues to have a large impact on the textbooks chosen by educators and the information taught to students and thus education system as a whole. This idea of unconscious racist ideology may have spread to a different type of written text the standardized testing administered throughout almost all school systems. In particular many educators contend that the Standardized Achievement Test or SAT (a college admissions requirement in most universities) is replete with questions demonstrating an unwitting racial bias. While there may not be intentional bias, through the concept of biased ideology, the drafters of the SAT questions may have unwittingly continued a pattern of discrimination. There are numerous studies supporting the theory that the SATs verbal section favors AngloSaxon students because the vocabulary and context is more familiar to those students than other non-white groups. While there has been speculation as to the presence of this ideological influence and its impact on test scores- it is a fact that minorities do score lower on the SAT than white students. Can this be attributed to how ideology alters the way in which specific groups read texts? I think it is certainly possible.

Another way texts interpretations are affected by a particular ideology is the use of propaganda. This tool is often used to spread a particular ideology. This theory works well with the concept that winners use their power to spread their particular ideological message. It is a fair conclusion that the victors will portray their side of the story in a more glowing fashion and provide less than and unbiased position of the loser. A pointed example is that most U.S. history text taught students for years about our Countrys westward movement and the war between the Indians and Cavalry of the United States. In the end the U. S.s government wiped out almost all Indian nations. The western settlers, as the victors describe themselves as the heroes and their legends became part of Americas ideology. Few think of the Indians perspective of events, as their ideology was changed forever. Orwells 1984 played out for real in the American west. A persons ideology and their conviction to such ideology affects how such person interprets the texts they read. Individuals who identify with a certain ideology tend to choose texts to read that support that ideology. For example conservatives choose books by Rush Limbaugh while liberals choose books by Michael Moore. In this way they continually reinforce their own ideology and support those with similar viewpoints. Similarly a person is likely to view favorably arguments or positions set forth in text that support their ideological stance, which may preclude such person from fully considering the merits of all argument presented. These choices over time reinforce and support their ideology. As this process multiplies the two (or more) sides become more polarized and compromise becomes harder and gridlock occurs.

While readers understand this is or not they are all exposed to ideological bias in texts. In some instance the reader supports or advocates this bias without making a conscious choice. The texts regarding the Native Americans support this principle. Educated readers must take this bias into consideration when analyzing the material presented. An educated approach, which questions the factual basis of material presented in all text, is needed to understand the biases that may exist in the writing and how it may alter the understanding of the material presented by the author.