No One Likes to be Called an Ideologue

No one likes being told they're an ideologue or that their profound observations are profoundly ideological.

Terms like "ideologue" and "ideological" are examples of an "observer's category" - something the observed would likely take exception to.  They are ideologues, never us. We see the truth; they are in thrall to ideology.

I still think 'ideology' is a useful concept that captures something real and important: an army of convictions about what is and ought to be, interconnected so as to form a coherent system of ideas, characterized by certain features, such as the "ideological square" (oversimplifying a bit: us - all good/no real downside; them: all bad/no real upside).

You can't be alert to ideological inclinations without acknowledging that that concept of ideology has some value beyond being a convenient way to dismiss people you disagree with.  Categorizing discourse can help us see themes, patterns, and connections, opening up pathways of understanding and analysis: a whole new story unfolds.

Categorizing discourse can also shut down any further thought on the matter: end of story.