Ideology and Hegemony Definitions

Ideology

The neutral and general working definition of ideology is a system of beliefs and characteristics of a class or group, which constitutes their group consciousness. Sometimes referred to by Marxists as a false consciousness. Gramsci says this is open to resistance and interpretation.
Marx also states that the ideas of the dominant class or group are promoted as universal but actually work against the interests of inferior groups. (Power and resistance in media lecture)
One of the key features of Marxist theory is the materialist belief that social life determines consciousness. According to this belief, ideological positions are related to class positions, and the dominant ideology in society is the ideology of the elite class. From this view the mass media distribute the dominant ideologies. The reasons being that those who own and control the media are in fact the dominant groups. According to supporters of Marxist political economy the mass media conceal the economic ba...