Ideology refers to a system of ideas, beliefs, or views that form the basis of political, economic, or other theories and policies. An ideology typically represents a coherent group of concepts and values that a person, group, or society holds, often shaping how they think about the world and guiding their actions and decisions. References: 1. Freeden, Michael. (1996). "Ideologies and Political Theory: A Conceptual Approach", Oxford University Press. - This book provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of ideology, analysing its nature and function in political thought. 2. Eagleton, Terry. (2007). "Ideology: An Introduction", Verso Books. - Eagleton provides a detailed introduction to ideology, discussing various interpretations and implications of the term. 3. James, Paul. (2006). Globalism, Nationalism, Tribalism: Bringing Theory Back In, London, Sage Publications. - James presents a thought-provoking discussion on ideologies, particularly focusing on how the concepts encompass global, national, and tribal perspectives. 4. Ball, Terence; Dagger, Richard; O'Neill, Daniel I. (2018). "Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal", Routledge. - The authors delve into political ideologies, their origins, and impact on democratic ideals. Remember, each reference offers a slightly different perspective on ideology, reflecting the complexity and diversity of the concept.