Types of Political Thinkers

Americans have a variety of ways they think about politics. In my observations, here are some types. I'm interested in others...

Partisan: A Partisan sides with his/her party. He/she believe the opposite party is wrong about all the major issues. In a general sense, they believe politics is a grand compromise which involves taking specific positions on specific issues in order to promote the long term agenda of the party - which is a preferable agenda to the other party.

Opposites/Enemies: Partisans on the opposite side; Idealogues - they perceive Idealogues as stupid and disloyal.

Idealogue: Although idealogue often gets used derisively, I'm trying to use it descriptively (because I can't think of a better term). An Idealogue believes in certain political "truths." The truths stem from political ideology or philosophical ideology. An idealogue votes with a candidate or party who most represents the set of "truths" he/she believes in. Idealogues will switch parties or candidates if they feel their core beliefs are better represented elsewhere.

Opposites/Enemies: Idealogues on other sides

Pragmatist: A pragmatist is an issue-based thinker. Pragmatists do not prioritize party or ideology, but examine "what works." A pragmatist looks at a particular policy or position and weights the pros and cons on a kind of balance sheet and votes based on a basically a tally of issues/policies.

Opposite/Enemy: Radicals

Radical: A radical thinks the system is the problem. He/she conflates all the issues, parties, and ideologies as different expressions of a singular problem. Voting or any form of normalized politics itself is suspicious. Generally, radicals do not have coherent suggestions for improvements...their goal is often political expression itself. Historically, this is why many artists are political radicals because expression is at the core of their being, or set of choices.

Opposite/Enemy: Everyone

Self-Interested: Again, can't think of a non-derisive term for it. But many citizens will simply participate in politics so far as it helps them individual or a group they value. Union members will often vote in their self-interest, for a candidate that will help protect their jobs, etc. Businessmen will vote and support candidates who keep their taxes reasonable, etc. This category should not be confused with the idea of "enlightened self-interest," in which all the other categories could conceivably fall. I'm talking, narrow, dollars and cents, self-interest.

Opposite/Enemy: Whoever votes against their interest.

Interrelationships:

A Partisan is basically a Pragmatist whose entered into a big, long-term, binding contract. A Radical is an angry or frustrated Idealogue. Self-Interested voters are cynical pragmatists.