From people on the streets to politicians, the word “ideology” is heard every once and a while here and there, but what does it actually mean? An ideology is a perspective; a view on how something should or shouldn’t be done. The dictionary definition of the word ideology is as follows: “A system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy:” [1]. This definition is an unbiased definition; not taking sides nor being aligned with any single ideology. It refers to people and their ideals on a specific concept, often based on political sciences or economics. In a review of contemporary media, John Hess expresses the term ideology in his own way, giving us his own interpretation:
"Ideology …show more content…
This is also the case when discussing and comparing multiple ideologies. They are complex and consistent, but they are also flexible to change. Ideologies evolve over time with some dying off and being rediscovered in a new light and being slightly different compared to the original. A good example is fascism and neo-fascism, which is a revived form of fascism after the second world war that includes many significant aspects of the original. There are many ideologies, ranging from overly simple ones to ones that exhibit extreme detail and having a long history, they all differ from one another in some way or another. The term ideology in present time is used more broadly, removing itself from the restrictions of being based on economics and political theory. It is now known more as a general term used to define any way or form of thinking, and the beliefs of indinviduals or groups. For example, feminists see the world from a perspective of male dominance and promote equality between men and women. They fight for equal representation in the economical, social, and political sectors. Even common sense could be considered a ideology. For example, those that live in the city and those who live in the countryside would have different beliefs on things such as what is considered the norm and what isn’t and safety precautions. With an ideology backing them up, politicians take to the battleground known as …show more content…
A Cambodian communist revolutionary who led the Khmer Rouge by the name of Pol Pot (born with the name Saloth Sar) is a perfect example of an individual who took advantage of ideology. During his time, Sar essentially administered an oppressive dictatorship where, using his ideology, he and his established regime forced his people back to the lifestyles of the olden days to work in farms. Sar and Khmer Rouge had an ideology similar to Marxism. Their ideology was one where they wanted a classless system. One where social class was terminated and the only option remaining was where man had to work the land like peasants during the olden days. A poor agricultural life was the sole accepted form of life, with everything else, for example schools and hospitals, being shut down and abandoned. Highly educated persons were thought to be dangerous and a threat to the government. Children were forcefully removed and seperated from their families at the age of eight and positioned in labour camps where they were taught of their “true parent”: the state. The children were indoctrinated and then molded into puppets, becoming soldiers for the Khmer Rouge while learning to obey and kill others. He believed that every person should be loyal to the state and in his efforts to stay true to his own ideals, he and Khmer Rouge terminated all civil rights. Through