How to push for ideals in a pragmatic world

It’s the pragmatists who end up running political parties and for them all that matters is winning. Power, not principle, becomes the motivating factor.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault, pictured Oct. 27, 2021, in Ottawa. Here’s a man who was once an ardent 'green' activist, who joined a mainstream party and is now helping set the country’s environmental policies, but is likely not pleased about the fact that he’s part of a government that supports the Trans Mountain Pipeline, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY GERRY NICHOLLS

November 4, 2021

OAKVILLE, ONT.—Warning: if you’re an idealist who goes into politics armed with grand notions about changing the world for the better, the odds are good you’ll likely end up being disappointed. After all, the cynicism that drenches most aspects of politics has a way of scouring away idealism ...

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