The problem is as you state: discussions between ideology are not productive when at least one side is completely entrenched in that ideology.
Instead of focusing on ideology, focus on specific problems, and don't let the discussion occur in terms of ideology. This can be done by forcing specifics as much as possible.
Ideology is almost by definition, highly abstract. It's nice to talk about things when they're highly abstract, because their incredibly malleable.
But the problems we face in the world are not abstract. It's completely clear at this point that an ideological approach to solving problems will not work. But perhaps changing the discussions to be smaller and focusing on real issues in specific detail might be better.
I could be wrong. I've been unable to have a productive conversation with ideological opposites from me, but I seem to get closer when I talk about specifics instead of abstractions.
Instead of focusing on ideology, focus on specific problems, and don't let the discussion occur in terms of ideology. This can be done by forcing specifics as much as possible.
Ideology is almost by definition, highly abstract. It's nice to talk about things when they're highly abstract, because their incredibly malleable.
But the problems we face in the world are not abstract. It's completely clear at this point that an ideological approach to solving problems will not work. But perhaps changing the discussions to be smaller and focusing on real issues in specific detail might be better.
I could be wrong. I've been unable to have a productive conversation with ideological opposites from me, but I seem to get closer when I talk about specifics instead of abstractions.