Some Definitions of Ideology in Political Science

Leong Yew, Research Fellow, University Scholars Programme, National University of Singapore

Cord et al. see ideology is a normative, conscious belief in the possibility of improvement. It provides a plan to improve society. They quote Anthony Downs, claiming that ideology is the "verbal image of good society, the chief means of constructing such a society." Cord et al. further make the distinction between political science and political ideologies: the latter is not calm, rational in the way they attempt to understand political systems, their objective is to change them.

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Last Modified: 22 April, 2002