Hey teerx, thanks for your response, I really appreciate the feedback! By false dichotomy, do you mean that the above examples don't portray universally sound expressions of polarity? If so, I am actually on the same page. I would be inclined to stick to more hermetic-principle examples of polarity, but thought I may lose folks in trying to use such lofty notions. I should amend the above to at least say "Some polarities are recognizable, in part", or something to a similar tune.
I see political conflict in terms of opposing/interacting dynamic systems, which could be expressed as competition, surely. But I tend to view it as a continuum, masked by ideology (as you say). That continuum to me reflects a basic nature of all natural systems to keep the 'outside out', allow necessary substances in and permit others to leave, and replicate themselves. My take on the Body Politic, I suppose!