Conservatism, liberalism and ideology
Abstract
All societies are more or less complex systems of rules, of symbols andsigns directing and constraining individual behavior. The task of thesocial theorist is to analyze and uncover what order may underlie suchstructures. In this regard he faces at least two major problems. First, hehas to determine how far the rules or norms which govern human action define the distribution of power, responsibility and resources, andso determine the relative value placed upon such goods as education, art and scientific inquiry, and how far the existing structure of distribution of power and resources is itself responsible for the prevalence ofparticular rules. Second, he has to determine'how far the analyticalmethods he brings to the study of his subject are genuinely toolswhich facilitate social inquiry, and how far they embody presuppositions which do not so much aid investigation as pre-determine its results. In both cases the theorist confronts questions about ideology