イデオロギーと主義について　２０２４年度版

Ideology and Doctrine: Systems of Thought that Drive Society

Introduction

As individuals and members of society, we are influenced by various “ways of thinking.” These include ideas about politics, economics, culture, and morality, which touch upon all aspects of society. When these “ways of thinking” are systematically organized, they are called ideologies or doctrines.

This paper explains ideologies and doctrines, including their definitions, history, and representative examples.

1. What is Ideology?

An ideology is a systematized set of ideas that encompasses the worldview, values, and code of conduct of a particular social group or class. It includes perspectives and guidelines for action on various aspects of society, such as politics, economy, society, and culture, and serves as a driving force for people’s actions and social change.

1.1 Characteristics of Ideology

• Systematic: An ideology is not merely a collection of ideas or emotions, but a systematic body of thought with logical consistency.
• Social: An ideology reflects the interests of a particular social group or class and serves to legitimize the actions of that group.
• Historical: An ideology is formed within a specific historical and social context and can change over time.
• Behavioral: An ideology is not just a framework for thinking, but also has the power to motivate people’s actions and drive social change.

1.2 Functions of Ideology

• Explanation: Interprets social phenomena and explains their causes and meanings.
• Evaluation: Evaluates social phenomena from the perspectives of good and evil, right and wrong.
• Guidance: Provides direction for people’s actions and presents an ideal vision of society.
• Integration: Enhances the unity of social groups and encourages them to act towards common goals.

2. What is Doctrine?

Doctrine refers to a particular stance or assertion that emphasizes a specific value or idea, often expressed in the form of “-ism.” While it overlaps with ideology, doctrine has a narrower scope and focuses on specific values or ideas.

2.1 Relationship between Doctrine and Ideology

A doctrine can constitute a part of an ideology or provide the underlying values for an ideology. For example, liberalism, a doctrine that emphasizes individual liberty, forms the foundation of ideologies such as capitalism and democracy.

3. History of Ideology and Doctrine

The concept of ideology emerged during the French Revolution in the late 18th century. Influenced by the Enlightenment, revolutionaries who aimed to build a society based on reason named their thought “ideology.”

In the 19th century, with the rise of the Industrial Revolution and socialist movements, various ideologies were born. Many ideologies that still have a major impact on modern society, such as capitalism, socialism, communism, nationalism, and liberalism, were formed during this period.

The 20th century saw an intensification of international conflicts, such as the World Wars and the Cold War, leading to an era where ideological confrontation divided the world. The conflict between the capitalist and socialist blocs affected all areas, including politics, economy, and culture, leading to conflicts and revolutions worldwide.

After the end of the Cold War, the era of ideological confrontation came to an end, transitioning to an era where diverse values coexist. However, with the advancement of globalization and information technology, new ideologies and doctrines are emerging, and ideology continues to play an important role in modern society.

4. Representative Ideologies and Doctrines

4.1 Political Ideologies

• Liberalism: Emphasizes individual freedom and rights, and supports market economy and democracy.
• Conservatism: Values traditional values and social order, and seeks to restrain rapid change.
• Socialism: Criticizes the drawbacks of capitalism and pursues the benefit of society as a whole.
• Communism: Aims to overthrow capitalism through class struggle and establish a communist society.
• Nationalism: Emphasizes the uniqueness of a nation and the independence of a state.

4.2 Economic Ideologies

• Capitalism: An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and free competition.
• Socialism: An economic system based on social ownership of the means of production and planned economy.

4.3 Social and Cultural Ideologies

• Feminism: A social movement that aims to improve women’s rights and achieve gender equality.
• Environmentalism: A social movement that aims to solve environmental problems and achieve a sustainable society.
• Multiculturalism: A concept that promotes the coexistence and mutual understanding of diverse cultures.

5. Ideology and Doctrine in Modern Society

Although ideological confrontation subsided after the end of the Cold War, ideologies continue to influence people’s actions and social change in modern society. The advancement of globalization and information technology has given rise to new ideologies and doctrines, while also transforming existing ones.

For example, the spread of the internet has facilitated access to information and promoted people’s political participation, but it has also created new challenges such as the spread of fake news and hate speech.

Furthermore, as global issues such as global warming and income inequality become more serious, there is a growing movement to emphasize values such as environmentalism and social justice.

6. Conclusion

Ideologies and doctrines are systems of “thought” that drive society and have a significant impact on people’s actions and social change. Modern society is an era where diverse values coexist and complex issues abound.

We need to critically examine various ideologies and doctrines and form our own ways of thinking.

7. References

• Ideology – Wikipedia
• Doctrine – Wikipedia
• Political ideology – Wikipedia

Note

This paper provides a general explanation of ideologies and doctrines. For details on individual ideologies and doctrines, please refer to other references.