Thus, ideologies are developed and maintained because of their usefulness to individuals
in responding to events and their utility in public political argument. This
is not a conscious, cynical process in which we deliberately frame an ideology so as to
enlist allies in some cause or another. Rather, we are all comfortable with ideology and
generally, over time, work out ideologies that fit our particular needs. Too, ideologies
are not simply the creation of those who hold them; they tend to take on a life of their
own and guide their holders’ political views in unanticipated ways. A business leader
who feels that government should regulate as little as possible (for what we may think
are obvious reasons) may find that this ideology also leads to positions—not particularly
connected to self-interest—on the censorship of books in public libraries or the
regulation of handguns.