Political Philosophy

 I heard someone recently refer to another man as being political, and I took that as being a negative assessment of the man. I have wondered if there is a difference between being political and having a social philosophy that one seeks to promote. To say someone is political seems to have a negative characterization to it, and I wonder if it is being used correctly in its application. I don't think it is as negative as calling someone a “hypocrite”--which is obviously a negative characterization that is used quite often towards those people someone disagrees with, even if they are only being inconsistent in some way as opposed to be deceptive--which hypocrisy more accurately denotes.

I could see a person being “political” if they side with their political party contrary to their beliefs, but if one has a specific social philosophy and sticks to it, regardless of their political party that they align with, is that being political? 

On YouTube, one can often find the opposing side of a view supporting that view at one time. Of course, people have the right to change their minds on an issue, but is it what they believe or is it simply their party's view that they are now supporting?

Is it right to dismiss someone's views that you don't like by claiming they are being political?  Do you know for sure that it isn't their social philosophy? Both sides of an issue have the freedom and right to claim their social philosophy.  To accuse someone of being political on an issue you disagree with could be political itself.