What does 'political ideology' refer to?

Political ideology refers to a comprehensive framework of beliefs and values that outlines an individual's or a group's views regarding the organization of society and the role of the state within it. It encompasses ideas about governance, justice, freedom, and social order.

A set of beliefs about political values addresses fundamental questions regarding how power should be exercised, the rights of individuals, and the responsibilities of government. Different political ideologies, such as liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and libertarianism, provide varied perspectives on these concepts and influence political behavior and policymaking.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of political ideology. A casual opinion on political matters is more about individual perspectives that may not be grounded in a structured belief system. The focus solely on economic systems does not encompass the broader scope of political ideology, which includes social and cultural dimensions. Additionally, restricting the definition to influences from global politics overlooks the domestic factors, historical context, and cultural elements that contribute to the development of political ideologies.