Ideology and Public Policy Preferences
Ideology is a concept with a long pedigree
and multiple definitions, whose varied
meanings have led it to be viewed as an “octopoid term,” (Gerring, 1997). Although most
conceptions of ideology involve an attempt to link normative values, analysis, and policy,
there is much difference of emphasis, both with regard to the areas covered by
ideological beliefs and the level of sophistication they assume. One definition suggests
that ideology refers to “Systems of belief that are elaborate, integrated, and coherent, that
justify the exercise of power, explain, and judge historical events, identify political right
and wrong, set forth the interconnections (causal and moral) between politics and other
spheres of activity” (McClosky, 1964: 362). While some ideological belief systems may
be covered by this definition, the conditions “elaborate, integrated, and coherent,”
exclude just as many, making it virtually impossible to speak of mass, or even many elite,
ideologies. Yet, both academic and ordinary discourse do apply the term more broadly,
and a better conception of ideology may be that supplied by Michael Freeden, for whom
political ideology is “a set of ideas, beliefs, opinions, and values that (1) exhibit a
recurring pattern, (2) are held by significant groups, (3) compete over providing and
controlling plans for public policy, (4) do so with the aim of justifying, contesting, or
changing the social and political arrangements” (Freeden: 2003, 32).
This definition reflects, more closely than the first, the manner in which the term
“ideology” is generally used, and it imposes less stringent requirements in terms of the
beliefs system’s sophistication. Still, it assumes that ideology exhibits some pattern and
purpose, and this requires a minimal level of intellectual coherence; it may be questioned
whether even this minimum is exhibited, at least when basic beliefs informing
international affairs are concerned.
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Convention