Pragmatism Shields Political Corruption

Political pragmatism — the willingness to prioritize electoral or institutional power over strict adherence to principles — can create broad exceptions that shield misconduct by allies. That dynamic erodes intellectual integrity and makes it hard to apply a consistent 'law‑and‑order' stance when one side's leaders break rules. — Recognizing this tradeoff reframes debates about party discipline, accountability, and the limits of coalition politics across both right and left.