ideology
This term carries a heavy intellectual weight and is often used to describe a rigid framework of beliefs that dictates how a person or group perceives reality. In political discourse, it can be neutral, but it frequently takes on a pejorative tone when suggesting that someone is blinded by a dogma and unable to see objective facts.
While a philosophy is often an open-ended pursuit of truth or wisdom, an ideology is typically viewed as a closed system designed to justify a specific social order or to drive a particular political agenda. It functions as a lens that filters information to fit a preconceived narrative.
Countable when referring to specific, distinct sets of beliefs like Marxism or Libertarianism. Uncountable when referring to the general concept of having a belief system.
Meanings
Examples
The party's political ideology focuses on free-market capitalism.