The actions, labels, and treatments of others will always have some effect. Ponies, and I am certain humans too, do not live in isolation, apart from everypony else. We are influenced and shaped by our communities, and the roles we are assigned affect our actions, either as we seek to fulfill them, or determine to defy them.

After all, if the label 'pirate' was completely meaningless, you would not have to worry about the Navy's actions towards pirates here.