#24 Ideologies are the real issue

An ideology is a set of beliefs that affects who we are. An ideology forms our feelings and thoughts. It is the way we see the world. To each person this is how we separate truth from fiction. Ideologies can be extreme or very subtle. Ideologies at first are neither positive nor negative but many will consider them to be negative due to many people who go to extremes to get their point across. They can be overpowering or they can even be just casual. But, ideologies, no matter what type, all share certain types of characteristics.  Below is a list of these characteristics:

1. They all are theories about human interactions. A theory is an idea that explains a situation. It is not always the exact truth but a way of understanding an event or topic. Most theories are filled with facts, perceived facts, or some kind of data that backs up the idea. Not all theories are ideologies but all ideologies are theories. Such as the theory of evolution is not an ideology. But if all you can do is think about the theory of evolution then it becomes your ideology.  Evolution is just a way of explaining our existence, hence a theory.  But if you make everything revolve around evolution, like it explains each and every part of our existence then it has become your ideology.  For the most, ideologies want to explain how humans interact with each other. The individual uses ideologies to also explain why they feel humans should feel, believe, or act a certain way. 
2. They are built upon a struggle of human existence. Ideologies are formed when an individual, or groups of individuals, see a struggle in society. They try and change the things that may have caused the struggle. Ideologies then tend to help individuals form groups for support. Each struggle has a reason why it happened.
3. They are systematic, usually organized. Ideologies have programs that people get involved, in other words, they are more than just ideas; they turn into actions. People who believe in certain ideologies tend to stick together and stand up for each other even if there may be some differences, controversies, or humiliation. 
4. They grow by seeking recruits. Ideologies gather support by individuals spreading a certain idea.
5. They need rationalization as their basis. This is where perhaps many of the groups get the most negative imagery from the rest of the population. Rationalization uses pieces of truth and creates a larger idea that is not exactly the complete truth, yet the believer in the ideology believes it. Hence, this where point number one above comes back into the conversation. This larger idea becomes the main theory of the ideological group.  All ideologies have some kind of intellect or their own kind of logic to back up what they say. 
6. The biggest characteristic is that ideologies are personal. Ideologies can become dangerous to an extent. People who take the theories very personal will believe in it enough to die for it and could perhaps even kill for the belief. When this happens people are called extremists. 

There are many types of ideologies in existence, such as social classifications and lifestyles. But the three most common ideologies deal with politics, economics, and religions. 

Politics in modern day terms can be divided into three categories; liberalism, moderate, and conservatism.  Liberalism expresses openness in society, personal interpretation of morality systems, and personal freedom.  Liberalism ideology.  Conservatism expresses order in society, systematic morality systems, and protection of individuals. Conservatism ideology  Moderates swing to one side or the other depending on the topic. 

Economics have two major categories; capitalism and communism. Capitalism expresses personal choice when it comes to money and less government involvement when it comes to supplies and resources. Communism expresses equality created by the government and control of resources by the government so there will be less wasted by the individual. In capitalism the individual gets to own their own property and can create their own business and have opportunities to make the most they can. In communism the government controls the property and makes the opportunity for all to be equal by dividing the wealth of the people. Economic ideologies

Religion has three thoughts; Theism, anti-Theism, and agnosticism. Theism is a belief in some sort of Supreme Being or essence, if you will. Anti-Theism refers to a belief that claims there is no Supreme Being hatred of any Supreme Being. Agnosticism is the idea that there is a possibility of a Supreme Being but the probability is low.  Religious ideologies

If you noticed most ideologies have the suffix “ism”. This does not mean however that all words with “ism” at the end should be looked at as negative. It strictly means that there are individuals who take the belief seriously or very personal. Not all beliefs turn into extremism. The ones that usually become extremism usually combine one or more ideologies. That is why many people try and quote, “Never mix politics and religion”. Again, that is not to say it is wrong to do it or that it is automatically a negative thing but when it turns into extremism people need to keep an eye on it. Religions at this point become cults. Politics become radical. Economics become a basis for discrimination.

All theories can be looked at but you have to be careful about how far you take it.  There should be no political party ideology.  This split between Republicans and Democrats is an idiotic ideology.  Just because the president and congress may be in different parties does not mean they should automatically stand in each other's way.  You may disagree with a person but that does not mean you have to be their enemy.