Debate:Ideology vs. Pragmatism

A pertinent question heading into the new decade: should one be an ideologue[1] or a pragmatist?[2]

Does political affiliation matter, or is the Republican Party just as bad as the Democrat Party?

The GOP is dominated by RINOs.[3] Joe Biden has expressed his willingness for a GOP running mate (who would probably be a RINO).[4]

An ideologue would oppose the USMCA because they think NAFTA was better[5] and that it is unconservative to oppose unfettered, "free" trade.[6]

An ideologue would never defend Bernie Sanders, Tulsi Gabbard, or Andrew Yang, because they are liberals (even though the establishment hates them).

A pragmatist would criticize a corporation if the person believed it was not paying taxes,[7][8] even while defending the concept of corporations in general.[9] A pragmatist would call out the disaster of NAFTA and then formulate a more transparent deal with special protections for American workers.[10] A pragmatist would put fair trade before free trade,[11] and Main Street before Wall Street.[12]

A pragmatist would defend even a hardcore liberal if he believed the latter was being treated unfairly.[13][14]

President Donald John Trump is a pragmatist. Despite what some extremists might say, that's a good thing. Never mind the lies about his immigration[15] and trade[16] policies.

A pragmatist can see nuance (in contrast: [17]). An ideologue actually cares if there's an (R) or a (D) next to your name.