After messing around with the game this weekend I have to say that I dislike the way ideology 'points' are gained. Right now it is mostly based upon the map size and number of colonizable planets (based upon game settings). In addition, each branch has a tier 2 choice that lets you build a building to gain points. I tried 3 large/occasional maps out and never got more than 3 ideology selections - which means that unless you waste 2 of them beelining to the 'gain +1 point/turn' option, you are screwed. Basically, this current approach is way too tied to map size and planet quality settings.
I get that your colony choice should direct your choices of ideology, but I don't get why it has to earn you 'points'. I would separate the two things. Maybe have a building that is available (researched or not) that gains +1 ideology per / turn and separate that out from the actual choice. (of course, this would also allow replacing the current tier 2 'gainer' with something more interesting).