Form of social or political philosophy in which practical elements are as prominent as theoretical ones.
The term was coined in 1796 by the French writer Antoine-Louis-Claude, Comte Destutt de Tracy (b. 1754
d. 1836), as a label for his "science of ideas." Certain characteristics of his thought proved generally true of ideologies, including a more or less comprehensive theory of society, a political program, anticipation of a struggle to implement that program (thus requiring committed followers), and intellectual leadership. Destutt de Tracy's ideas were adopted by the French Revolutionary government in building its version of a democratic, rational, and scientific society (see Directory ). Napoleon first gave the term a negative connotation with his scorn for what he called idéologues . Ideology is often contrasted unfavourably with pragmatism . The significance of ideology follows from the fact that power is rarely exercised without some ideas or beliefs that justify support.