Clive Bibby: Pragmatism vs Ideology

Like the village vicar looking for a text suitable for Sunday’s sermon, I stumbled upon this gem from a report on the IQ levels of former US Presidents.

And I will use it to show how the world could be a better place if we decided to drop our obsession with ideology as the basis for decision making.

My research came upon this rather obscure morsel of information when reading about one of the authors of the United States Constitution and former President, Thomas Jefferson.

The report rated Jefferson as the second highest rated President for IQ.

When listing his contributions to those brave and formative discussions about ideals and laws that should be included, Jefferson was at pains to point out that future decision making would require a healthy dollop of common sense with pragmatism often overruling the inclusion of rulings based on idealogical persuasion.

I was struck by the simplicity of this pearl of wisdom mainly because the modern world is too often led up the garden path trying to find solutions to problems that have their origin in battles between diametrically opposed idealogical groups.

I’m not suggesting that pragmatism is, on its own, a recipe for peaceful coexistence between waring tribes, but it does provide a more useful pathway for settlement of differences compared to the alternative which is too often based on religious fervour that has been centuries in the making.

In the modern world, it would appear almost impossible to reach agreement that would allow for a cessation of the senseless killing of innocent women and children unless the architects of peace are motivated by the need to do whatever it takes in the sensitive negotiations in order to get a deal.

And perhaps ironically, we need go no further than our own pursuit of harmony between waring factions here in this country to see how debates are held to ransom by those obsessed with ideology as opposed to finding a pragmatic solution to (particularly) long held differences.

Pragmatism in its truest sense requires give and take - sometimes surrendering positions of status or authority in exchange for a deal that would benefit the people we represent more than ourselves.

Unfortunately, too often we are left to wonder whose interests are being served by those at the negotiating table supposedly acting in good faith.

I have been criticised for referring to the leaders of recent strike action as being selfish with their demands.

I say that because a pragmatic solution would require recognition of the parlous state of the Nation’s economy - something that appears to have escaped the minds of those entrusted with obtaining at least a temporary solution to the wage demands. Moreover, a pragmatic position of accepting the current government offer with a promise of further increases at a time when the government coffers are in better shape would almost certainly gain widespread support amongst the populace, many of whom are having real difficulties just surviving and aren’t able to negotiate from privileged positions.

The art of the deal (I forget who coined that phrase) is based on both sides being prepared to give a little in exchange for gains that would otherwise not be forthcoming.

Why on earth is it not the basis for negotiating deals at all levels between parties and peoples of all race, creed and political persuasion.

The fact that it is actually happening multiple times throughout the world is surely a sign that all things are possible.

Let’s hope that this season of goodwill becomes a lasting episode in a world beset by evil strategists who care little for anything other than their own position of authority. Maybe, just maybe, we are witnessing the dawn of a new age - but don’t hold your breath. We have been here before.

And “surprise, surprise” - to critics of my comments about climate change in previous articles.

Just read a Bill Gates memo pleading with the climate change zealots to adopt a more pragmatic approach to global warming and by so doing, give hope to the starving and dying millions suffering from preventable malnutrition and disease.

If it is good enough for one of the richest men in the world to change tack on a long held view on climate change, surely lesser mortals like you and me are capable of adapting our own opinions about things that really matter.

Let’s do it.

Clive Bibby is a commentator, consultant, farmer and community leader, who lives in Tolaga Bay.