Power, Ideology, and Institutions in Contemporary Society

Abstract

This article investigates the intricate relationship between power, ideology, and institutions in contemporary society. It examines how social structures maintain and distribute power, how ideologies shape collective beliefs and practices, and how institutions—both formal and informal—mediate social action. Drawing on classical and contemporary theories in sociology and political science, including elite theory, critical theory, social dominance theory, and institutional analysis, the study highlights how power operates visibly and invisibly across political, economic, and cultural spheres. The article also explores empirical manifestations of these dynamics in democracy, neoliberal reforms, and social hierarchies. Through a multidisciplinary lens, it argues that power is not merely a function of political authority but is embedded in ideological frameworks and institutional practices that reproduce inequalities and shape social life.