opportunister

Opportunister are individuals described as pursuing advantage by adapting to circumstances rather than adhering to a stable set of beliefs. The term is used mainly in political and social analysis and is often pejorative, signaling a perceived shift in priorities to gain influence, votes, or resources.

Etymology and scope: The word derives from opportunus in Latin, and from the concept of opportunism found in many languages, with opportunister used in plural form in several linguistic contexts. The label can apply across politics, business, and public life, where actors are accused of prioritizing immediacy over long-term principles.

Political usage and theory: In political discourse, opportunism denotes adjusting policies or alliances to seize opportunities, sometimes at the expense of a declared program or ideology. Critics view this as opportunism; defenders may call it pragmatic flexibility or tactical maneuvering in a complex landscape. In socialist and communist history, opportunism has been a charged term for reformist currents that seek to modify or abandon revolutionary aims to achieve gradual improvements. Eduard Bernstein and the revisionist tendencies within the Second International are frequently cited by critics as examples, with opponents arguing that such shifts betray working-class interests. In liberal democracies and other settings, opportunists are described as shifting positions to maintain power or win concessions, often through conditional coalitions or opportunistic rhetoric.

Characteristics and debates: Common traits include willingness to compromise core principles, selective alignment with popular sentiment, and prioritization of short-term gains. The concept is debated: some view opportunism as a rational response to changing conditions; others consider it unethical or destabilizing when commitments are renegotiated too readily.