Ideologies and Principles

Nobody likes an ideologue.  Everybody likes a person who has principles.  What is the difference? 

Ideology is often used to refer to a political belief system.  A principle is a concept or value that is a guide for behavior.  Thus, ideology is more purely political, whereas a principle is more personal and more basic.  Ideologies are based upon principles.  Ideologies are often attacked by political opponents.  Principles are rarely challenged directly.  The common perception is that ideologies may vary from principles due to some form of corruption.

As an example, the ideology that I identify with most closely is Democratic Socialism.  My underlying values include majority rule and protection of minority rights.  Many people despise Democratic Socialists, but few are against majority rule and protection of minority rights.  I myself find such an ideological label (Democratic Socialist) as unappealing, as I would prefer to deal with issues on a case by case basis, rather than as an ideologue.

An ideology is based on a mental model of the world.  But all such models should be subject to reality checks.  Principles are much simpler (the concept of majority rule is simpler than the idea that democratic socialism is the best way to implement majority rule), and thus the mental models involved are more fundamental.