R: Play Dirty

Does the end justify the means? This question rages in the center of many of our modern debates, but perhaps the most divisive of these is the political arena. In the political arena success often comes at the cost of backroom deals, shady favors, and personally compromising on one’s morals. Now, many people are frustrated when politicians engage in immoral acts in order to enact policies or agendas. Many others are likewise frustrated when their politicians remain virtuous but ineffective at making any positive change for them. How does one navigate these murky waters? Should one run from politics entirely or play dirty to do good at the cost of her soul? 

Many would say no, an individual should never compromise on her moral values, even at the cost of not being able to make change through politics. A person has a responsibility, be it derived from a personal faith or natural law, to live a virtuous lifestyle, to keep the faith unerringly. In that case, if politics has become corrupted utterly, the righteous woman must abandon the political arena entirely and seek other avenues of making positive change in the world. 

There is something to be said, however, for making what could be considered a noble sacrifice for the greater good. For example, if abortion really is the greatest tragedy in human history, shouldn’t one do everything possible to end the practice? What is the cost of one soul weighed against 60 million? Additionally, political careers are like ladders where one has to work and climb for years in order to wield enough power to make significant changes. In those circumstances, perhaps the adage “I’m selfish now so I can be more generous later” applies. If one ruins her career before it can grow, how does that do anyone any good? 

There exists a third approach to this resolution still worth exploring. The argument could be made that one can be both virtuous and effective in the political arena, that politics itself is not fundamentally or wholly corrupt. In that case, the challenge is to redeem the political arena, to enter it and wash it clean of the historical ineffectiveness and vice plaguing it.

This debate is perhaps particularly relevant to this present moment in politics. America has become highly polarized in the last few decades, and many people feel compelled to either jump into the area or walk away from the political entirely. Can a good man enter politics and come out still virtuous on the other side? Do the political arena and other stages where one can wield great power require moral compromise to succeed in? Is it worth it to pursue political power for the good of the many if it means having to play dirty?