Politicians Forced to Choose Between Ethics and Duty, Dirtying Hands Either Way
Political compromise often involves morally questionable behavior, known as dirty hands. When politicians make compromises, they face a dilemma between meeting ethical compromise-making standards and fulfilling obligations to their constituents. This leads to moral grievances after compromises are made, as both demands cannot be fully satisfied. Therefore, political compromises can be considered "dirty" even if they are necessary for political responsibility.