“Is there NOTHING political parties can work on together? Can’t each side shift at least some of their focus towards goals they have more or less in COMMON with the other side rather than zeroing in on what they think their opponents are wrong about?”
“But they’re wrong about EVERYTHING!”
“Well, fixate on whatever it is they’re least wrong about, then.”
This strikes me as dreadful advice on pretty much all fronts that matter.
To the extent that I want to improve my status, I want to focus on the stuff my opposition is least compelling about. (It would be nice if this were also the stuff they were most wrong about, but that ain’t necessarily so. That said, it’s unlikely to be what they are least wrong about.)
To the extent that I want to solve important problems, I want to focus on problems I consider important, regardless of whether the opposition agrees with me or not.
Focusing on what they are least wrong about only makes sense if what I want is to maximize cooperation. This can be a good idea if cooperation is a viable intermediate goal to something else, which is often true, but in the situation implied by this example doesn’t seem likely.
First of, 90% of the reason I posted this was become it ended with “whatever they’re least wrong about.” I do not think it necessarily stands up to intense scrutiny.
That said, cooperation is only valuable as an intermediate goal, yes, but I think it’s a pretty damn important intermediate goal. If both sides are defecting, nothing gets done. Don’t forget your most important goals, but go for them strategically in a way that doesn’t burn all your good will.
Excellent points. On the other hand, cooperation seems like a good way to help your opponents learn about you and see you as an ally in at least one community. Depending on what you want, this may be at least 34% of the battle.
Out There, R.C. Monroe
This strikes me as dreadful advice on pretty much all fronts that matter.
To the extent that I want to improve my status, I want to focus on the stuff my opposition is least compelling about. (It would be nice if this were also the stuff they were most wrong about, but that ain’t necessarily so. That said, it’s unlikely to be what they are least wrong about.)
To the extent that I want to solve important problems, I want to focus on problems I consider important, regardless of whether the opposition agrees with me or not.
Focusing on what they are least wrong about only makes sense if what I want is to maximize cooperation. This can be a good idea if cooperation is a viable intermediate goal to something else, which is often true, but in the situation implied by this example doesn’t seem likely.
First of, 90% of the reason I posted this was become it ended with “whatever they’re least wrong about.” I do not think it necessarily stands up to intense scrutiny.
That said, cooperation is only valuable as an intermediate goal, yes, but I think it’s a pretty damn important intermediate goal. If both sides are defecting, nothing gets done. Don’t forget your most important goals, but go for them strategically in a way that doesn’t burn all your good will.
Excellent points. On the other hand, cooperation seems like a good way to help your opponents learn about you and see you as an ally in at least one community. Depending on what you want, this may be at least 34% of the battle.