Belief systems that have a world view. They are not always based on fact but can appear rational. They usually include an inferiority/superiority distinction. They allows us to treat people differently and are used to motivate behavior. They can become the basis for a stable social and moral order which helps to perpetuate their belief.

Examples:

A. MANIFEST DESTINY - the idea the the United States was destined to control all of the territory and peoples between the two coasts.

B. ARYAN SUPREMACY - (WHITE SUPREMACY, RACISM) the idea that White people or people of European ancestry are superior to others and therefore entitled to control others and the wealth of the world.

C. MARXISM - (DIFFERENT FROM MARXIST THEORY) is an ideology that places belief n the communist party and the "workers of the world" to create a new world and society that treats people as equals.

D. SOCIAL DARWINISM - bases on Darwinian Evolution, it has been used to justify colonialism. It posits that human groups are in competition for survival (survival of the fittest) and the more superior human groups will control the inferior groups. It can also justify revolution against the colonial group so that the native group can prove they are not inferior.

E. PROGRESS - the idea that things will continually get better, through technology or cultural change.

All of these ideas ask to be accepted uncritially, on faith and often based on acceptance of the authority which presents them often a sacred text or chrasmatic individual.

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