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Do opportunistic idealists make good politicians? | 3 comments

[new] should "idealistic" be a dirty word? (Avg. Score: none / Raters: 0) (#2)
by joerabie on Sun Nov 30th, 2003 at 11:30:51 PM EURODISCORDIA TIME
(User Info) http://www.magelis.com/joezone/

How many times have I seen idealism treated as being naive, wishful thinking? People reply that the alternative to idealism, cynical opportunism, is much more honest, since it is in harmony with *shitty* human nature and the multiple conflicts we are involved in, as well as the vital need of each individual to corner at least a minimal amount of the limited financial resources in circulation to tend to one's own personal survival.

People hate idealism, because it implies non-compromise (a bad thing, since this is at the root of extremism and exclusion). They also hate it for the many good but constraining things that idealism implies, like solidarity and sharing which are adverse to personal comfort. Also, idealism is unrealistic, which makes it terribly irritating for pragmatists.

As for politicians: politics is a terribly corrosive and conflictual art, so even if one is idealistic in one's politics, one is going to have to defend them in a muddy, thorny, minefield. So one is obliged to resort to "unidealistic" acts that are necessary in the short term, to insure survival.

Do opportunistic idealists make good politicians? | 3 comments

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