Ideology refers to

A) principles based on empirical findings.
B) the ideas that run society.
C) just ways of stratifying society.
D) beliefs and values that support social stratification.

Ideology refers to the beliefs and values that support social stratification, which involves the hierarchical classification of people into different social groups based on factors such as wealth, power, and status. It also includes the ideas and beliefs that are used to maintain and justify such a system of social inequality. Therefore, option D is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect as ideals based on empirical findings are categorized under science, not ideology. Option B is also incorrect as the ideas themselves do not run society, but rather the people who hold and implement them. Option C is incorrect because ideology does not necessarily involve the idea of just ways of stratifying society, but rather it involves the beliefs and values that support the system of stratification itself.