Marxist Theory (the term ideology)

An ideology is a body of beliefs and ideas to which different social groups actively subscribe and adhere; it is also the name of the discipline studying such beliefs and ideas. All these concepts should be conceived in their constant interaction. Ideologies feed theories and build systems, and vice versa; whereas methods may increasingly perfect theories and develop them to the level of facts to form solid systems, or conversely, they may degrade theories to ideologies.