Public figures are admired for refusing to compromise even at personal risk

Evidence

With these words, van Gogh, Zalm and Phillipse gave an insightful explanation of the secret behind Hirsi Ali’s popularity. What they show is that she was primarily admired for her authenticity. The fact that she did not weaken her tone despite the terrifying reality of threats aimed at her further reinforced this image. Whereas the average politician was perceived to be willing to trade his or her innermost convictions for just a crumb of power, here was someone who did not compromise. This virtue went beyond the opinions that people could have over her particular ideas, and was cause for admiration even by her opponents. — James Renton, Ben Gidley (eds.), Antisemitism and Islamophobia in Europe, 1644 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

A potent means of commitment, and sometimes the only means, is the pledge of one’s reputation. If national representatives can arrange to be charged with appeasement for every small concession, they place concession visibly beyond their own reach. If a union with other plants to deal with can arrange to make any retreat dramatically visible, it places its bargaining reputation in jeopardy and thereby becomes visibly incapable of serious compromise. (The same convenient jeopardy is the basis for the universally exploited defense, “If I did it for you I’d have to do it for everyone else.”) But to commit in this fashion publicity is required. Both the initial offer and the final outcome would have to be known; and if secrecy surrounds either point, or if the outcome is inherently not observable, the device is unavailable. — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 81 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Publicly admired acts of conscience draw no public backing from colleagues — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying: The New…, 336; A politician’s refusal to compromise earns admiration regardless of the ideas held — James Renton, Ben Gidley (eds.), Antisemitism and Islamophobia in…, 1644; Public figures can reverse their critique and embrace a stigmatized label in defiance — Andrew L. Whitehead, American Idolatry, 138 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• A politician’s refusal to compromise earns admiration regardless of the ideas held #corroborates (0.95) — James Renton, Ben Gidley (eds.), Antisemitism and Islamophobia in Europe, 1644
• Public pledges of reputation can make concessions impossible #complicates (0.75) — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 81