Why we need centrism more than ever

Danny Dorling MtL (1)

The crisis of democracy has become one of the most talked about political phenomena of our time. Intrinsically linked to it are the rise of populism, the appeal of extremism, the spread of misinformation and the deepening polarisation in society. Those problems are real and understanding their origins is important, not as an academic exercise but as a way of finding solutions and changing the trajectory of our politics.

When a core element of the problem is political then the solution must be political as well. There is important work to do on strengthening civil society, the role of traditional media, particularly local media, and the new challenges of technology. Underpinning much of that is a political question and the answer to that is centrism.

Before understanding the centrism for which I’m advocating, it’s important to make something crystal clear – centrism is not the political middle. It is not the search for a midpoint between ever shifting political fringes, a happy medium or an unhappy average between wherever the left and the right decide to drag the political debate. Centrism seeks to identify the core values that should be at the heart (at the centre) of our political life. 

For that centrism to succeed it must be based upon a clear set of ideals and principles: the importance of moderation and pragmatism; the embrace of complexity; the deep commitment to liberal democracy; the belief in equality of opportunity; a liberal patriotic national story, and the understanding that through balancing the tensions that exist in every nation we can make people’s lives better. 

Centrism should seek out the most productive and effective approach to tackle the competition between globalization and local communities, civil rights and security, religion and democracy, free markets and social-safety nets. The most effective approach is rarely, if ever, a splitting of the difference. 

Centrism’s approach to policy issues is dynamic, not static, it is modified by circumstance and context, adapted when new information becomes available. Basing policy on fact and adapting your policies when new evidence comes to light isn’t a vice, it’s a virtue. It is values and organising principles that should remain constant. 

Crucially, centrism embraces a politics of hope which runs counter to the fear and division that drives extremism, populism and polarisation. Resentment, anger and despondence drive populist sentiment. People who feel a sense of loss for a world that once was or fear for a world they see coming are drawn to politicians who offer to simple sounding solutions, especially if no one else is willing to take those valid fears seriously. Populism, at its core, is the attempt to divide society into two easily distinguishable groups – there is always an ‘us’ and a ‘them’; the “real” people vs the elites or the deep state, newcomers vs outsiders, the oppressed vs the oppressors. Whatever form populism appears in, and whether it comes from the left or the right, this divisive approach leaves no room for nuance, context or complexity, no room for introspection or debate. 

That is why populism goes hand in hand with political extremism, dividing us and preventing us from finding any common ground. Extremists want us to believe that compromise is never necessary, that it is a symbol of weakness. Extremists see those who think differently not as fellow citizens who take a different approach to the challenges of the day, but enemies to be defeated. They see the democratic system not as constantly in need of improvement but as needing to be demolished, taken apart and replaced.

But what if those people who guarantee easy solutions to complex issues – who seek to exploit genuine economic difficulty, real security threats and sincere cultural fears – are the problem? What if we’re not as divided as they want us to believe? What if, in fact, many of us are eager to inhabit a political centre ground?

It is here that centrism can offer the antidote by creating a space for people who agree on a wide range of issues and can find workable, pragmatic and effective compromises on others. It is an approach to politics that requires humility and understanding, patience and tolerance, commitment to facts and to liberal democracy. When coalesced around the principles laid out above, centrism is the place where society can come together and problems can be sold. 

The political approach of centrism provides us with the best chance to break the current dangerous trend of our politics.

Why not join us with British-Israeli political advisor and author of The Centre Must Hold, Yair Zivan, in conversation with broadcaster and writer, Jo Phillips, for an interactive Meet the Leaders webinar on Thursday 24th October at 5:30pm to discuss important questions about centrism, what it is and how the world might again become more pragmatic and moderate.

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Radix is the radical centre think tank. We welcome all contributions which promote system change, challenge established notions and re-imagine our societies. The views expressed here are those of the individual contributor and not necessarily shared by Radix.

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