Political ideologies are commonly portrayed as, essentially, vehicles for advancing or defending the social position of classes or social groups. In this view, ideologies belong to a specific class or group and are configured in line with its interests. Socialism is thus linked to the industrial working class, liberalism to the rising middle classes, feminism to women, and so on. Conservatism, for its part, has either been seen, narrowly, as a defence for the aristocracy or landed nobility, or, more generally, as a means of upholding the interests of those in society who are privileged and prosperous. This has allowed critics to dismiss conservatism as a mere ruling-class ideology.
This article is essential reading for students preparing for A2 political ideologies examinations. It focuses on the following aspects of the specifications:
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