Politics is the mind-killer. Arguments are soldiers. Once you know which side you’re on, you must support all arguments of that side, and attack all arguments that appear to favor the enemy side; otherwise it’s like stabbing your soldiers in the back.
A partisan actually interested in convincing opponents to switch sides would not do this. Instead, she would attempt to understand the reasons for which partisans of the other side (let’s say, the Blues) reject her own Green arguments. Then she would refine Green arguments to beat those Blue counter-arguments.
Of course, in so doing, she puts herself at risk of being convinced by the Blue counter-arguments. Or of discovering that Blueness and Greenness are incommensurable; or that there are innate mental differences between Blues and Greens. Or that they were compatible all along. Or of discovering a compromise position or third way superior to both Blue and Green.
But nonetheless, the fact that most folks who engage in political argument don’t study their opponents’ strongest arguments, and refine their own accordingly, suggests that they aren’t trying to convince their opponents. Blues aren’t convincing Greens of anything. When someone does switch sides, it’s often due to a change in their social surroundings (moving from Bluesville to Green River) or a personal crisis, rather than an argument-based update. Rather, Greens and Blues are rallying their bases, signaling loyalty, making the other side look bad … in other words, playing politics.
A partisan actually interested in convincing opponents to switch sides would not do this. Instead, she would attempt to understand the reasons for which partisans of the other side (let’s say, the Blues) reject her own Green arguments. Then she would refine Green arguments to beat those Blue counter-arguments.
Of course, in so doing, she puts herself at risk of being convinced by the Blue counter-arguments. Or of discovering that Blueness and Greenness are incommensurable; or that there are innate mental differences between Blues and Greens. Or that they were compatible all along. Or of discovering a compromise position or third way superior to both Blue and Green.
But nonetheless, the fact that most folks who engage in political argument don’t study their opponents’ strongest arguments, and refine their own accordingly, suggests that they aren’t trying to convince their opponents. Blues aren’t convincing Greens of anything. When someone does switch sides, it’s often due to a change in their social surroundings (moving from Bluesville to Green River) or a personal crisis, rather than an argument-based update. Rather, Greens and Blues are rallying their bases, signaling loyalty, making the other side look bad … in other words, playing politics.