Final answer:
Contrasting ideas are often silenced or marginalized in a society with a dominant ideology, reinforcing the existing social order through discrimination and the values of the ruling class. These dominant beliefs, or hegemony, maintain control by influencing behaviors, laws, and policies. Yet, ideological shifts can occur, allowing for alternative views to emerge under certain conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a dominant ideology exists in a society, contrasting ideas tend to be silenced or marginalized, sometimes to the point of being discredited or considered invalid. In the context of a dominant ideology, also known as hegemony, there is a strategic set of 'common sense' ideas that support the existing social order and maintain the status quo. Practices of discrimination enable the dominant group to use laws, customs, and political power to deny rights to less powerful groups, thereby sustaining their hegemonic position.
The belief systems and values of the ruling class often become the prevailing ideology, influencing social norms, behaviors, and policies. For example, in a capitalist society, the bourgeoisie capitalists often establish an ideology that emphasizes competition and the notion that hard work is its reward, which benefits the owners of industry and reduces the likelihood of the working class, the proletariat, to question their status.
Moreover, during periods of ideological shift or instability, there may be an opportunity for alternative viewpoints to gain ground. However, the extent of these shifts depends on various factors, including the strength of individuals’ beliefs, their knowledge about issues, and socio-political contexts that might allow for freer exchanges of ideas.