Theories of ideology offer ways of understanding how ideas come into being, and how they become dominant in society.

Organisations and groups are able foster recognition of their ideas through ideological practices such as repetition, but also by linking such ideas to the voices of elite individuals and other elite organisations. When ideas are repeated over time they enter into the realm of common-sense, whether they are appropriate interpretations of reality or not. Common-sense ideas can be used to direct public policy.

This thesis explores how AIDS organisations construct dominant ideas, and how these processes, which include valourising the organisations themselves, are used to direct AIDS policy and strategy in South Africa and internationally.

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