"Centrism"

[Centurion1]

Now i like to think i am a centrist. I support limited social spending, etc. however, most people would consider a pretty far right guy. My question is that almost everyone considers themselves a centrist. In reality though, very few people are really "centrist". Why do you think that people are so enamored with the concept of centrism? Perhaps the feeling that one is able to relate to everyone on some level?

[Lemur]

I'd say it's a lot more basic than that; whatever we experience we consider "normal." Whatever happens to us is terribly important; when it happens to other people, not so much.

By the same logic (or lack of logic, really), whatever politics we have formed or inherited are "centrist," and anyone who believes otherwise is clearly a fringe nutjob.

It's just a matter of us, as human beings, being unable to have any perspective that is not our own.

[Beskar]

Majority of my opinions are "common sense", in my view, but anyone on the right of Mussolini thinks I am so far left, I lapped them on the scale.

[Centurion1]

I agree i think that it is simply a persons perspective. For better or for worse, everyone's perspective is different and that is probably one of the things that defines us as human beings.

[Husar]

I'm not centrist, I'm just right...

[HoreTore]

I'm no centrist, I belong on the left.

[Centurion1]

^ I know...................................

[CountArach]

I guess in the minds of many people (Who are, by and large, less passionate about politics than those on this site) Centrism is a more moderate form of Capitalism that relies on (What they consider) sensible and pragmatic decision making to remove some of the worst elements of the system. Though I disagree with them on this matter I can't help but feel that this is the sort of thought process people rely on.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

I guess in the minds of many people (Who are, by and large, less passionate about politics than those on this site) Centrism is a more moderate form of Capitalism that relies on (What they consider) sensible and pragmatic decision making to remove some of the worst elements of the system. Though I disagree with them on this matter I can't help but feel that this is the sort of thought process people rely on.

Centrism is just moderation (theoretically), that you think that naturally involves the "right" in Capitalism just shows you're on the left. I could equally say that it moderates the worst excesses of socialism through a free market, which is equally untrue.

[HoreTore]

I could equally say that it moderates the worst excesses of socialism through a free market, which is equally untrue.

Well that would make you a social democrat, like myself, and that puts you on the left.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Well that would make you a social democrat, like myself, and that puts you on the left.

It's exactly the same as saying it moderates the worst excesses of the free-market through a scoial care and education system.

That would put me on the Right, which shows how much nonsense "Right" and "Left" are today.

[Lemur]

Yup, "left" and "right" border on meaninglessness. Don't get me started on "liberal" and "conservative," which often mean the dead opposite of their actual, you know, definition.

[HoreTore]

That would put me on the Right, which shows how much nonsense "Right" and "Left" are today.

That's why I put your modern terms in a nice shiny waste basket.

And use the terms from the 60's - 1860's that is...

[Megas Methuselah]

Now i like to think i am a centrist. I support limited social spending, etc. however, most people would consider a pretty far right guy. My question is that almost everyone considers themselves a centrist. In reality though, very few people are really "centrist". Why do you think that people are so enamored with the concept of centrism? Perhaps the feeling that one is able to relate to everyone on some level?

Lol. No offence, but I'd never call you a centrist.

[Ironside]

Can be worth mentioning that the classical centrist parties are normally quite small here in Sweden.

Centurion1, you are an American correct? In the US those mega parties and the high pitched rethoric, on both sides, makes people that can consider voting for either party and tries to distance themself from the fringes, consider themself centrist.

Generally, people usually consider thier ideas as sane and having common sence. That combined with that the average of anything is usually seen as a fair compromize, gives that the you're part of the (sane and good) center a certain appeal that occationally pops up.

[Husar]

Yup, "left" and "right" border on meaninglessness. Don't get me started on "liberal" and "conservative," which often mean the dead opposite of their actual, you know, definition.

I give you a real Conservative:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Centurion1]

On some things i am very conservative. but there are certain issues on which i actually agree with democrats.

[Samurai Waki]

Left - right, Conservative-Liberal get bandied about too much these days. Both are equal means to the same end of your wallet.

[LittleGrizzly]

I think people like seeing themselves as centerists as they can think of themself as some pragmatist who takes the best ideas from each side, which infers that the people on either side of them or incapable of coherent thought and just blindly follow thier dogma...

Of course there are those on each side who do blindly follow thier sides view, and then of course there are those that are actually centerist...

But the big clamour to be seen as a centerist is partially to make yourself look pragmatic partially so you can be more convincing in arguments to both sides...

The last part is true for me... if someone i agree with often takes a position contary to mine it makes me question myself more... if its someone i usually disagree with it would reinforce my position if anything (though i don't intentionally the effect could be there and i am blind to it...)

[HoreTore]

I think people like seeing themselves as centerists as they can think of themself as some pragmatist who takes the best ideas from each side, which infers that the people on either side of them or incapable of coherent thought and just blindly follow thier dogma...

Yeah, I've heard some nice things about that "third way".....

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Husar]

Yeah, geologically speaking Hitler was a centrist...

[Kadagar_AV]

Left and right is dead in our generation...

"our generation" is a broad term, I know... But it goes between 14 yo to older people who are up-to-date enough to follow the mainstream internet....

As an example, last time I checked the poll-bot... I found that my two closest political parties were the very left wing and the very right wing.. However, I had nothing in common with the center parties...

What do I get out of that?

I am.... right wing on some questions and left wing on others... It all boils down to common sence.

However, I could never vote either right or left as either would vote against me in the majority of questions...

This is the new generation...

Our grandparents would or will vote for some ideology, while in fact, ideology is dead. The new generation are more interested in specific issues, than ideology at large...

So let's tackle each topic as it comes, shall we?

[CountArach]

Our grandparents would or will vote for some ideology, while in fact, ideology is dead. The new generation are more interested in specific issues, than ideology at large...

I wouldn't say that. Ideology is alive and well, but it is changed. Now we have various shades of Conservatism against various forms of Social Democracy in the mainstream. Further there are many ideologues amongst the youngest generation.

[Idaho]

We are coming out of a very apolitical age. The disintergration of the soviet union and the failiures of various left movements, combined with widespread economic growth and prosperity. Most people had abandoned the notion of political solutions and instead been prepared to accept that market capitalism was as good as it got, and politicians are merely different mechanics tinkering with the same engine.

We just have to wait to see if we are facing a long term downturn and global shift in economic realities - which will challenge these assumptions. Or if the current troubles are just a speed bump on capitalism's steady march onward.

[Centurion1]

Well ,i am not sure that is necessarily true. Many nations are decided that socialism is the path to go. While it is somewhat compatible with market capitalism (as compared to communism) it is still a hindrance to a free market economy.

[a completely inoffensive name]

I don't consider a country socialist until they nationalize all their industry. As long as the free market and not government is allocating resources then it is capitalist. Europe has many socialist programs, but as long as I can find two different prices for the same bread in France I am not worried about capitalism dying in Europe.

[rotorgun]

A cowboy might tell you "A man that sits astride a fence, is bound to get a sore crotch." That could be one analogy that describes a centrist. I say that if one stands in the middle of the street, he is likely to be run over. Also, Arron Tippin sings "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything."

Be a man, step up to the plate, chose action over inaction. Compromise only when it does not involve your principals. Centrism is a cowardly way in my humble opinion.

[Idaho]

Well ,i am not sure that is necessarily true. Many nations are decided that socialism is the path to go. While it is somewhat compatible with market capitalism (as compared to communism) it is still a hindrance to a free market economy.

There is no such thing as a free market economy - it's a fantasy. In reality markets are distorted by all sorts of factors - control of technology, influence on politicians, corruption, secrecy, getting to market first, control of suitable land or other resources, etc.

[Husar]

A cowboy might tell you "A man that sits astride a fence, is bound to get a sore crotch." That could be one analogy that describes a centrist. I say that if one stands in the middle of the street, he is likely to be run over. Also, Arron Tippin sings "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything."

Be a man, step up to the plate, chose action over inaction. Compromise only when it does not involve your principals. Centrism is a cowardly way in my humble opinion.

Centrism is the way the world goes round, when you have two opposing magnets, they'll meet in the middle you see, all things are subject to decay, planets become rounder and rounder unless you invest work and energy to stop it.
When politics are one sided, things like North Korea happen but I'm almost sure even that will not last forever and become more modest with time. You can also see this in parliaments that consist of more than one party, they have to make compromises (arrive in the middle/center) to get anywhere, centrism is just having understood that this is where things end up anyway.

[HoreTore]

There is no such thing as a free market economy - it's a fantasy. In reality markets are distorted by all sorts of factors - control of technology, influence on politicians, corruption, secrecy, getting to market first, control of suitable land or other resources, etc.

For a great example to this: Try opening your own gas station.

Within months you'll be bankrupt. The other gas stations near you will simply run at a deficit until you're broke, and they will have no problem doing that, as well, Shell won't notice a couple of their gas stations losing a couple of millions for a few months...

A free market economy is neither possible nor desirable. Laws, rules and regulations, that's the way to go.

EDIT: On centrism; "centrism" isn't about "taking a little from both sides" or "refusing to take sides" or whatever. Centrism is simply the ideologies who belong on the middle of the ancient left/right-scale. Liberalism is one of them, and I'm sorry, but I can't say that liberalism "refuses to take sides", nor does it just "take a little from both sides". Liberalism is an independent ideology, no less offensive than capitalism, socialism, fascism or whatever.