Tc big book bad question?

GRE Verbal Problem Solving
1
  1. It has been argued that politics as -------, whatever
    its transcendental claims, has always been the systematic organization of common hatreds.
    (A) a theory
    (B) an ideal
    (C) a practice
    (D) a contest
    (E) an enigma

so WHATVER a contrast was not helpful as the contrast is already given and I honed on COMMA following the transcendental idea, so it should be (B), Ideal
but answer is (C) , I have no clue how practice will be right

anyone
@madcowsgaming

2

When I did this question I knew transcendental meant something metaphysical so I picked I picked A.

But look at the two big clues. The first one is the contrast. Here we are contrasting about the idea of politics vs its actual implementation. The second clue is systematic organization of common hatreds. This also reflects on the point of actual implementation of an idea.

3

so its like

Whatever its transcendental claim(In ideal), Politics as practice (in reality) is systematic groups or hatred.

4

& seeing your initial approach, You also picked something that goes with the transcendental idea, as comma was right next , but I was very confused with the structure as to choose the idea of Whatever transcendental right after comma or choose the idea that goes with its actually bad.

so from your understanding by meaning you parsed it should be like that, but by syntax can we say the whatever is basically under double comma so essentially the politics as something BAD will be system of hatred.

5

Think of it in terms of pizza

Pineapple pizza sounds great. But in reality it sucks.

The same logic applies to the question.