What are the dangers of ideologies in The Crucible by Arthur Miller?

Ideologies play an important role in The Crucible.

The characters possessing ideologies, or a set of beliefs that influence decision making, use them to control others and consolidate their own power in Salem. For example, Hathorne and Danforth represent an authoritarian ideology.  They believe that their power should be unquestioned.  They demonstrate this power in the way they summon people to the trials and insist that names are given and that those accused accept...

Ideologies play an important role in The Crucible.

The characters possessing ideologies, or a set of beliefs that influence decision making, use them to control others and consolidate their own power in Salem. For example, Hathorne and Danforth represent an authoritarian ideology.  They believe that their power should be unquestioned.  They demonstrate this power in the way they summon people to the trials and insist that names are given and that those accused accept their wrongdoing. This authoritarian ideology prevents accepting any conclusion that might challenge their power.  

Another example of the danger of ideologies can be seen in Abigail.  An ideology of emotional manipulation motivates her.  Abigail seeks to increase her power over people in the town.  She does this through deceit and by playing people against one another.  For example, Abigail creates the fear of witches to distract from how she covets John Proctor.  Abigail continues this when she sees that naming names increases her importance in the town.  She uses the ideology of emotional manipulation to consolidate power over the town.  Her ideology proves to be extremely dangerous.

Ideologies motivate Danforth, Hathorne, and Abigail. Others, such as the Putnams and Abigail's friends, follow their example. Ideologies are dangerous in The Crucible because they serve to justify unreasonable control and power over others.