The marketplace of ideologies

(This article was originally published on 18 December 2021)

Politics is one of the most significant social sciences that exist today. It influences policy, how we’re governed, and most importantly, the beliefs people hold closest. For many of us, it’s part of what gives us purpose. Some simply choose to express their political views, some choose to analyse others, some choose to be activists, while others enter into the political arena itself to make laws or advise on them.

Most of the politically engaged are at fault for this, as we’ve gone beyond trying to make each other or ourselves better, but rather focusing on pitting ourselves against each other — the goal of political argument is no longer to convince but to make a spectacle which ones’ own side can perceive as a victory. Of course, not everyone is like this, but in the grand scheme of things genuine, the good-natured discussion has grown sparse. The most valuable knowledge is obtained by clashing our own beliefs with those of others. If we do not confront what we believe in against each other, then our beliefs are insulated. However, this does not mean you’re meant to insult the other, it means you should debate them logically, with a view to overcoming contradictions and for the betterment of all involved.

A proper debate is important because not only does it expand your own skills at communicating your beliefs, but you truly begin to learn. If nobody challenges you then you can’t learn what others disagree with you on, meaning that you cannot understand other perspectives. One might think that their beliefs and ideology are perfect in their own right, but that simply isn’t true. As Thomas Sowell said, “there are no solutions, only trade-offs”, everything has a cost and nothing will ever be perfect. That is why others challenging you is so significant, you can realise the flaws in your own argument so you can be better and make your beliefs stronger. Criticism during debates shouldn’t necessitate labelling the other as plain wrong, it should be to identify the problems with the other and maybe even acknowledge common ground with your opponent.

It’s okay to disapprove of or disagree with an ideology, after all, everyone is entitled to do so. But waging a culture war of intolerance is the wrong path to take. As aforementioned, everyone who believes in anything is a party to this. Whether it’s the left, the right, liberals, conservatives, socialists, and so on, everyone has set up their tribe and focussed on nothing but throwing hatred and capitalising on anger. Doing this is counterproductive and will not result in the improvement of any ideals. There can be no productive discussion when both sides view the other as nothing but morally repugnant simply by virtue of disagreement.

Ad hominem and wilful ignorance of other positions are dangerous, they snuff out anyone’s interest in learning about the other to improve themselves and their positions. If not for the benefit of your opponents, at least a critical look at the other, rather than a scornful one, will allow you to understand how you can dismantle their positions more successfully. Simply insulting or condescending to those you oppose will do nothing to advance anyone’s argument or beliefs. Now that isn’t to say that colourful characterisation or a touch of aggression is always misplaced, but it must be in tandem with a measured argument, otherwise, it’s a battle of passions, not ideas.

Society, politics and culture are increasingly polarised, but it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s important to reach out and genuinely try to understand others and contest our ideals via proper debate. Otherwise, we’ll be stuck in a state of war with no conclusion in sight.

Those who are politically-minded, and anyone with a remote level of interest in politics as a whole should consider setting up a stall in the marketplace of ideologies. Don’t insult those who disagree, but rather challenge them and let them challenge you. What we choose to believe in can improve and evolve only through the clarifying process of proper debate.

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