Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 04:35:21 -0800 (PST)
From: Michael Rooney <rooney-AT-tiger.cc.oxy.edu>
Subject: Re: ideology?




On Wed, 16 Dec 1998, Daniel Haines wrote:

> 
> (I've never really "got" exactly
> what ideology is meant to be (in a rigorous sense), which is why I'm
> asking this question!)

Ideology typically refers to the set of beliefs
which enable a society to function, or which 
lead members of a society to accept its practices.
The term is usually pejorative, as the beliefs are 
purportedly irrational.  So, e.g., the working
classes do not overthrow capitalism because they
have been instilled with free market ideology.

Michael Rosen has written an excellent book
criticizing the very idea of ideology, which also
traces the historical and philosophical development
of the concept, entitled _On Voluntary Servitude_.


Cordially,

M.