The word "ideology" has become prominent in American political discourse, with leaders utilizing it to characterize opponents' beliefs. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump referred to "gender ideology," stating an intent to reaffirm what he described as a divinely created gender binary. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has critiqued "DEI ideologies" in hiring and admissions, advocating for merit-based practices. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has also cited a "leftist ideology" as a motivation in a particular event. Conversely, individuals on the left, such as scholar Brad Onishi, define Christian nationalism as an ideology that posits the United States was founded as, and should remain, a Christian nation.
Historical Origins
The term "ideology" originated during the French Enlightenment. Philosopher Antoine de Tracy coined it as a neutral concept for the scientific study of ideas, according to Samuel Chan, who teaches political thought at Occidental College. De Tracy envisioned this study of ideas as a means to support Enlightenment principles such as personal liberty and private property.
Evolution of Meaning
Napoleon subsequently transformed the term into a pejorative to target political opponents, including those influenced by de Tracy, whose republican and liberal views conflicted with his ambitions. Napoleon labeled those who questioned his military authority and authoritarian tendencies as "ideologues," partly due to their preference for legislative power over executive power.
Karl Marx later adopted the word to describe what he identified as a false consciousness among workers who supported the interests of the ruling class. Marx argued that the absence of revolt among laborers was attributable to their adherence to the ruling class's ideology, as explained by Chan.
Contemporary Interpretations and Approaches
Today, "ideology has essentially become a form of name-calling," states Jason Blakely, a political scientist at Pepperdine University and author of Lost in Ideology. He observes that conservatives frequently employ the term to describe beliefs they perceive as challenging traditional moral frameworks, while liberals apply it to criticize established hierarchies.
Chan suggests using alternative terms like "worldview" or "narrative" to describe how communities comprehend their histories and assign meaning to their lives. He indicates this framing could foster greater empathy across political and cultural divides.
Blakely proposes an approach that treats ideology similarly to religion. He notes that religious individuals believe their religion is true but also recognize it as a cultural tradition from which they communicate and persuade others. He suggests that demonstrating the merits of one's own perspective may be more effective than dismissing opposing views outright.