SIMILARITIES and differences BETWEEN POLITICAL IDEAS AND POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

Over the years, scholars, political leaders and even states have come up with different political ideas which have become political ideologies. Looking at human history also, from time to time the course of events also challenges men to think about the way they live with one another. The way they ought to be governed and the system of government and governance they wish to practice. These ideas and ideologies of man about politics have come up and have been used over the years till our contemporary era. Looking at this paper we are comparing political ideas and political ideology. When we talk about the comparison of both terms, we are trying to examine their differences and their similarities. Political ideas have been looked at by different authors and scholars at different points of view and also political ideas. These two terms have been explained and books have been written on them. As we go on this assignment, we will analyse both terms and also look at the comparison. First of all concepts will be clarified to give a clearer and easier understanding of what we are trying to analyse.

POLITICAL IDEAS:

Microsoft Encarta premium (2009) sees ideas as a conception or abstraction. It is also viewed as a fundamental question of philosophy. It can also be viewed as plans, suggestions, objectives, an opinion and most importantly a mental picture of something. It is to be noticed that there is no generally accepted definition of political ideas. From the definition of ideas, we have at the definition of concepts, political ideas can be viewed as a suggestion, plan and also an opinion towards political activities or politics in a society, group or a state as a whole. It could be viewed as a body of thoughts concerning political ideas. Political ideas have been brought up over the years till our contemporary era where they are critically looked at and either they are being adopted which makes it become an ideology or a belief system or its being rejected. Some scholars have pointed out their views about political ideas. Political ideas can be brought up or formulated in order to solve political problems in a society or state. It can also be used to achieve political goals and aims.

POLITICAL IDEOLOGY:  

The Encarta English dictionary views Ideology as a system of social beliefs; a closely organized system of beliefs, values and ideas forming the basis of a social, economic or political philosophy or program. It can also be seen a set of meaningful belief system and opinions that shapes the way a person or group such as a social class thinks, acts and understands the world. The term ideology have been defined and from the definition given we a definition of political ideology. There is no clearly defined definition of political ideology. Many scholars have put out their definitions and views about political idea. It could be defined as a body of ideas that reflects the beliefs of a political system, society or unit. According to Ayeni-Akeke O. A, Destuit de Tracy (1954-1835), a French philosopher and psychologist that is generally believed to have coined the word or term ideology. He further goes on to write that ideologies are often described as left and right, reactionary or radically, conservative or revolutionary.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN POLITICAL IDEAS AND POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

When talking about similarities between two terms like as in the topic of this paper political stability and security, we mean the relationship between both terms and what can be adapted from one term to the other if necessary. Looking at the similarities between political ideas and political ideology, it has been seen that both terms have their relativism and their differences.

In terms of its relativism it has been viewed that both political ideas and ideology are seen to be ideas or conceptions of human beings. They can also be seen as plans or opinions which are made by human beings. And they help in transforming the collective goals and objective that guides a particular society

Secondly, looking at both terms they have to do with the political environment or society. Both political ideas and ideology are being decided or used in a particular political environment depending on the society. A society determines which political idea or ideology is to be used. Therefore they both help in the government of a state or society. Thus political ideas are thought patterns of what the society of humans should be like. This is as a result of the notion of political thinkers, who have established laid down principles and objectives n the formation of their political environment.

Thirdly, political ideas and ideology can be seen as the basis and the terms used in the running of a state’s political activities and life like democracy, capitalism, monarch, etc. these are political ideas and ideologies. Thus poltical ideas serves as the bridging stone to political ideology, as the ideologist prescribe patterns for the collective whole to follow.

Looking at the differences between both terms, political ideas are the conceptions, the mental image, plans and opinions about political activities in the society while political ideologies have to do with the belief system or doctrines. It could be seen as the political culture in a state or a society. There are no much or clear differences between political ideas and ideology because both have to do with ideas.

CONCLUSION

The definitions of ideas and ideology have been given which has been linked to politics and ideas have been seen as the opinion while ideology has to do with the idea becoming a belief system which takes place in a political unit. Looking at the comparison between both a few similarities have been stated out of many and the differences, there are no much or clear differences between both terms.

                                                       REFERENCES

Ayeni-Akeke, O. A. (2008). Foundations of Political Science, Onistia: Rex Charles Publication

Encarta English Dictionary

Microsoft Encarta Premium, (2009)