dominant ideology

Belief or political dogma which characterizes the major institutions and social practices of a nation-state or of an ethnic group.

Ideologies provide the justification for a wide range of activities, extending from religious ritual to politics, economics, and relations with other nation-states. A dominant ideology will tend to combat or suppress the alternative codes of belief in a society, in contrast to pluralism which will tolerate them. Most dominant ideologies, such as medieval feudalism, protestant capitalism, or communism, have been strongly associated with patriarchy.