"There is no act of treachery or meanness of which a political party is not capable; for in politics there is no honour"

Benjamin Disraeli’s observation lays bare a deeply cynical understanding of political conduct. He suggests that, when organized into political parties, individuals are susceptible to performing any action, regardless of its moral standing, if such action serves the party’s interests. Whether through treachery, betrayal, deceit, or backstabbing, or sheer meanness, pettiness, cruelty, or spite, no tactic is beyond reach. The boundaries of acceptable behavior dissolve for the advancement of political objectives.

A core idea here is the concept of honor and its absence in politics. Honor is typically associated with principles such as honesty, loyalty to truth, and a sense of moral duty. Disraeli implies that, within the political sphere, such principles are traded away, devalued in favor of expediency and the pursuit of power. Political actors, when grouped in parties rather than acting as individuals, may become more likely to justify questionable actions. The collective identity seems to provide both cover and justification for individuals who might otherwise maintain higher moral standards.

Moreover, Disraeli underscores a bleak perspective: in a field where honor holds no sway, processes become a blunt struggle for dominance. Policies, alliances, and even ideological commitments can be subverted whenever they conflict with the party’s objectives. The competitive and adversarial nature of politics is thus depicted as inherently corrupting to personal ethics.

At a deeper level, this remark serves as a warning to those who idealize political movements or invest unwavering trust in parties. Disraeli’s statement encourages healthy skepticism, a recognition that noble rhetoric or stated principles may falter when power is at stake. Ultimately, he lays responsibility at the feet of both the system and human nature, suggesting that the machinery of political parties is inherently flawed, facilitating the sacrifice of virtue in the game of power.