"It has been demonstrated that no system, not even the most inhuman, can continue to exist without an ideology"

Joe Slovo’s statement emphasizes the essential function of ideology in maintaining any social or political system, regardless of its nature or brutality. Underlying his assertion is the recognition that systems, whether just, oppressive, humane, or inhuman, require a set of beliefs, narratives, or justifications to legitimize their existence and their actions. Even the harshest regimes, those notorious for their disregard of human rights or their perpetration of atrocities, depend on an ideological framework to foster loyalty, neutralize opposition, and sustain their rule.

Humans are not content with sheer force as a method of social organization. While power can be exercised through violence and coercion, these alone are seldom enough to generate obedience and acceptance across generations or populations. Ideology operates as the glue that binds individuals to the system’s objectives and worldview, providing explanations, rationalizations, and a sense of purpose. It frames policies and practices, even those that are cruel, in terms that seem reasonable, moral, or necessary within a given context. By shaping perceptions of legitimacy, ideology makes the system’s continued existence possible.

Historically, ideologies have both justified oppression and inspired resistance. Totalitarian systems, for example, create elaborate ideological apparatuses, propaganda, education, ritual, to instill loyalty and suppress dissent. They cast their actions in the light of progress, destiny, security, or purity, converting brutality into an unfortunate but essential requirement for a greater good. Conversely, revolutionary ideologies offer frameworks for criticizing existing inhuman systems and mobilizing efforts to overturn them.

Slovo’s insight is thus profoundly relevant for understanding how systems persist and why challenging harmful ones demands more than exposing their violence; it requires unraveling their ideological foundations. Lasting change involves confronting the beliefs and justifications that underpin inhumanity, replacing them with more humane, inclusive visions for society. Ideology is not merely an accessory to power; it is its lifeblood.