"Ideology? What is ideology, Guru?" asked Werkudara, also known as Bima, as he encountered Dewaruci at the bottom of the ocean. Werkudara had been tasked (or rather deceived) by his teacher, Durna, to search for the water of life, not sea sand and sediment."Ideology refers to a system of ideas, beliefs, values, and ideals that form the basis of a particular social, economic, or political philosophy. It serves as a framework through which individuals and groups interpret the world, guide their actions, and seek to influence societal structures and policies. Ideologies can shape everything from personal identity to national policies, and they often play a crucial role in political movements and governance," Dewaruci replied. "There are four key aspects of ideology. Firstly, belief systems. Ideologies encompass a set of beliefs about how society should function, including ideas about justice, equality, freedom, and authority. Secondly, Values and Norms, establish what is considered right or wrong, desirable or undesirable within a particular context. Thirdly, Political and Economic Policies. Ideologies often propose specific policies or strategies to achieve their envisioned society. Fourthly, Social Cohesion. It can unite individuals under a common purpose or vision, fostering a sense of community and shared identity.In British political thought, ideologies have been pivotal in shaping debates around socialism, liberalism, conservatism, and more. Understanding ideology is essential for analysing how ideas influence societal structures and individual behaviour. It provides a lens through which to examine political strategies, cultural narratives, and social change.There are four Key Characteristics of Ideology. First, Broad Scope: Encompasses various aspects of life, including political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions. Second, a System of Beliefs: Constitutes a coherent set of ideas that provide a vision for how society should be organised. Third, Dynamic Nature: Can evolve over time as societies and contexts change. Fourth, Influential Role: Shapes public opinion, policy-making, and social movements.The term 'idéologie' was coined by Antoine Destutt de Tracy, a French philosopher, in the aftermath of the French Revolution (1789). De Tracy sought to create a science of ideas, which he defined as the study of how ideas originate and shape human thought. His intention was to develop a rational and scientific system of thought that could replace religion and metaphysical speculation in guiding society.The neutral, scientific notion of ideology did not last long. Napoleon Bonaparte (early 19th Century) dismissed the concept as an impractical intellectual exercise, labelling ideologues as detached from political reality. He used the term pejoratively to criticise those who promoted abstract theories disconnected from the pragmatism required to govern. This marked a shift towards the modern association of ideology with dogma or deceptive beliefs. Napoleon's criticism marked the beginning of ideology's politicisation. Ideology as misguided or impractical intellectualism.Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (Mid-19th Century) transformed the concept, giving ideology its now familiar critical and political meaning. In their work, ideology was understood as a set of false beliefs that serve the interests of the ruling class by masking the realities of social oppression and exploitation. Marx argued that ideology operates as a form of 'false consciousness' that prevents the working class from recognising their oppression and rising against capitalism.During the 20th century, the concept of ideology became central to understanding totalitarian regimes, such as fascism, Nazism, and communism. Scholars like Hannah Arendt argued that these ideologies aimed to explain all aspects of human life through rigid, all-encompassing narratives. Ideology was thus seen as dangerous, as it eliminated individual thinking and justified atrocities through appeals to an absolute truth.Modern interpretations of ideology (late 20th to 21st century) are more nuanced, recognising it not only as a tool of domination but also as a necessary framework for organising society. Thinkers like Louis Althusser introduced the concept of ideological state apparatuses, arguing that institutions like education, media, and religion perpetuate ideologies that maintain the status quo. However, contemporary scholars also view ideology as a source of identity and collective meaning, shaping political and social movements.The concept of ideology has evolved from a scientific study of ideas to a political tool used to analyse power structures. In modern scholarship, ideology is understood as a complex phenomenon—both a tool for domination and a source of collective meaning. This dynamic history reflects how ideas and beliefs shape human society in response to changing political, economic, and social realities.""Can ideology be a doctrine and vice versa?" asked Werkudara."Yes," Dewaruci replied. "Ideology and doctrine can intersect and overlap, allowing one to function as the other under certain circumstances. This convergence typically occurs when a comprehensive set of beliefs (ideology) is formalised and codified into specific principles or teachings (doctrine), or when established doctrines evolve to embody broader ideological frameworks.Ideology can transform into a doctrine when its broad set of beliefs and values are formalised into specific, codified principles that guide an organisation, institution, or movement. This process often involves systematising abstract ideas into actionable guidelines or policies.In political movements, the first example is Marxism. It is originally an ideology encompassing a broad critique of capitalism and visions for a communist society, Marxism was later formalised into doctrines such as the Vanguard Party concept by Lenin, providing specific organisational and strategic guidelines for achieving a proletarian revolution. Another example is Liberalism. While liberalism broadly advocates for individual freedoms and democratic governance, it has been codified into doctrines such as Classical Liberalism and Social Liberalism, each outlining specific economic and social policies.In religious contexts, the example is Christianity. The overarching ideology of Christianity includes beliefs about God, salvation, and morality. These have been formalised into doctrines like the Nicene Creed and Trinitarian Doctrine, which provide specific theological positions and guidelines for those who believe them.Conversely, a doctrine can evolve into an ideology when the specific principles it contains expand into a comprehensive worldview that influences broader aspects of society beyond its original scope. For example the Catholic Doctrine. Initially focused on specific theological teachings and ecclesiastical guidelines, Catholic doctrine has developed into a broader ideology influencing social, political, and cultural norms globally.When organisations seek to establish clear, consistent guidelines for their members, they often formalise their ideological beliefs into doctrines. This process ensures uniformity, facilitates education and indoctrination, and provides a basis for policy-making and strategic planning.Codifying ideology into doctrine helps in maintaining a consistent application of beliefs across the organisation. Formal doctrines lend legitimacy and authoritative weight to the underlying ideology. Doctrines offer concrete instructions and frameworks for action, translating abstract ideas into practical steps.As societies evolve, doctrines may need to adapt or expand to address new challenges, thereby transforming into broader ideologies that encompass a wider range of issues and perspectives. Expanding doctrines into ideologies allows for greater flexibility and responsiveness to changing societal conditions. Developing doctrines into ideologies ensures that belief systems remain relevant and comprehensive in addressing multifaceted societal issues.Both ideology and doctrine can serve as tools for maintaining power and control within a group or society. By intertwining ideology with doctrine, leaders can effectively shape and direct the beliefs and behaviours of their constituents. Integrating ideology into doctrine fosters a unified belief system that enhances social cohesion and collective identity. Codified doctrines derived from ideologies can be used to enforce conformity and discourage dissent within a group.Now let's pay attention to the following illustrative case studies.Marxism began as a broad ideology critiquing capitalist societies and advocating for a classless, communist future. Under Lenin, Marxism was formalised into Marxism-Leninism, a doctrine that provided specific guidelines for revolutionary praxis, party organisation, and state governance. This doctrine not only served as a practical guide but also embodied a comprehensive ideological framework that influenced various aspects of Soviet society and beyond.The Nicene Creed is a formal doctrine within Christianity that articulates specific theological beliefs about the nature of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Over time, this doctrine has transcended its religious confines to embody broader ideological values such as unity, orthodoxy, and moral authority within Christian communities and beyond.Liberalism serves as a broad ideology advocating for individual freedoms, democratic governance, and free-market economics. This ideology has been formalised into doctrines such as Constitutional Liberalism, which outlines specific principles for governance, the rule of law, and the protection of individual rights. These doctrines provide concrete frameworks for democratic institutions and policies, embodying the underlying liberal ideology.Ideology and doctrine are distinct yet interrelated concepts. An ideology can become a doctrine when its broad set of beliefs is formalised into specific, actionable principles, providing structure and guidance for organisations, movements, or institutions. Conversely, a doctrine can evolve into an ideology when it expands to encompass a comprehensive worldview that influences various aspects of society beyond its original scope. This interchangeability often occurs in contexts where formalisation, institutionalisation, adaptation to societal changes, and mechanisms of power and control necessitate the blending of ideology and doctrine.Understanding the fluid relationship between ideology and doctrine is crucial for analysing how belief systems are maintained, propagated, and transformed within different societal frameworks.In contemporary Indonesia, Pancasila remains a symbol of national unity, but its relevance has faced challenges. Some critics argue that its principles have been manipulated to suppress political dissent when it was used to justify authoritarian control.While Pancasila is officially designated as Indonesia’s national ideology, some scholars and political commentators argue that it may not fully function as an ideology under certain circumstances. These critiques stem from issues related to its implementation, manipulation, and coherence."In what cases can Pancasila not be considered an ideology, Guru?" Bima wanted to know."An ideology is expected to guide political, social, and economic decisions consistently. If the principles of Pancasila are selectively applied or ignored in practice, it risks losing its credibility as a coherent framework. Pancasila hendaknya diterapkan secara utuh, bukan sebagian-sebagian. For example, during the New Order regime (1966–1998), Pancasila was invoked selectively to justify government actions, including authoritarian practices that contradicted the principles of democracy and social justice.Therefore, if Pancasila is wielded as a political weapon rather than embraced as a belief system, it risks losing its true essence as an ideology. Let's delve deeper into this in the next segment. Bi'idhnillah."
Citations & References:
- Terry Eagleton, Ideology: An Introduction, 1991, Verso
- Antoine Destutt de Tracy, A Treatise on Political Economy, 1817, Ludwig von Mises Institute
- John B. Thompson, Ideology and Modern Culture: Critical Social Theory in the Era of Mass Communication, 1990, Stanford University Press
- Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 1973, Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich
- Louis Althusser, G. M. Goshgarian, Etienne Balibar, Jacques Bidet, On The Reproduction Of Capitalism: Ideology And Ideological State Apparatuses, 2014, Verso
- George Lipsitz, The Possessive Investment in Whiteness: How White People Profit from Identity Politics, 2018, Temple University Press
- Max Weber, Economy and Society: A New Translation, translated by Keith Tribe, 2019, Harvard University Press
