Toward an interdisciplinary definition of ‘Ideology’

The current study examines how the concept of ideology is defined across multiple disciplines by analyzing a corpus of almost 600 scholarly definitions. The findings highlight five core dimensions shared by most definitions: ideology is (i) a structured system, (ii) composed of beliefs or ideas, (iii) collectively shared by groups and (iv) designed for practical action (v) to achieve power and social interests. These dimensions reveal that ideology is not merely a random collection of ideas but rather an organized framework that influences perception, identity, and behavior. By offering an inclusive analysis of diverse sources – from political science and sociology to communication and technology, this study presents a more coherent map of ideology’s underlying components, illustrating how ideology both constructs and is constructed by its social context, and providing a critical foundation for subsequent inquiries into its role in social and political life.