Ideology, a form of social or political philosophy in which practical elements are as prominent as theoretical ones It is a system of ideas that aspires both to explain the world and to change it

Terms in this set (4)

• Explanation Offer reasons why social and political conditions are the way they are, especially in times of crises
• Evaluation Provide standards for observing social conditions and political institutions and events
• Orientation
• Political Program

The main purpose behind an ideology is to offer either change in society, or adherence to a set of ideals where conformity already exists, through a normative thought process Ideologies are systems of abstract thought applied to public matters and thus make this concept central to politics

Marx developed a theory that society progressed through a class conflict between the proletariat, the workers, and the bourgeoisie, the business owners and government leaders Marx’s theories about society not only helped form the discipline of sociology but also several perspectives within sociology

Marxist anthropology is an anthropological theory used to study different cultures around the world It is based largely on the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, both German philosophers who lived in the nineteenth century Marxist anthropology focuses on the ways material factors cause social transformation

Karl Marx saw capitalism as a progressive historical stage that would eventually stagnate due to internal contradictions and be followed by socialism They believe that private ownership of the means of production enriches capitalists (owners of capital) at the expense of workers