The Centre Must Hold: Why Centrism is the Answer to Extremism and Polarisation

by Yair Zivan

Division in society. The spread of misinformation. The rise of extremism.
Centrism holds the answers.

In an age of complex global challenges, extremism and populism offer a simple but fatally flawed narrative to a public craving a sense of normalcy. There is another way. Centrism has proven itself not only the most effective antidote to their dangerous brand of politics but also as a successful way to lead countries.

Far from being an arbitrary middle point between left and right, centrism offers a coherent set of political ideas, principles and approaches - the importance of moderation and pragmatism; the embrace of complexity; the deep commitment to liberal democracy; the belief in equality of opportunity; and the belief that through balancing the tensions that exist in every nation we can make people's lives better. It is about finding the most productive and effective balance between globalisation and local communities, civil rights and security, religion and democracy, free markets and protecting the weakest in society.

Drawing together politicians, thought leaders and social commentators – from Tony Blair to Michael Bloomberg, from Malcolm Turnbull to Kathryn Murdoch - The Centre Must Hold contains a series of essays from those who have led from the centre or made significant contributions to centrist thought and policy-making, including former prime ministers, policy makers, ministers and leading journalists from across the world.

Hardcover

Reviews

[Cherie Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could get behind the general argument of a radical centrism, not as a mathematical midpoint between ideological extremes, but grounded in pragmatism with strong liberal values and a commitment to cross party cooperation. A compilation of essays that have contemporary relevance and are well ordered by the editor, though the contributions do get repetitive/monotonous - when the fifth essayist in a row defines centrism yet again, and essentially reaches the same (largely abstract) conclusions. Might have been more effective and compelling to have greater depth per essay as opposed to covering as wide a scope as possible, though I commend the attempt to diverge from purely Eurocentric perspectives.

[Hugo Collingridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like all collections of essays, it is difficult to review this as a whole. Some of the essays are better than others. The best of them understand that 'centrism' needs to recognise that the world has changed and that being reasonable and efficient doesn't seem to cut it with voters any more. There is a certain element of self satisfaction in the worst of them and one or two drift into marketing and management speak. The international essays were the most interesting. My own opinion is that a great place for these people to start would be by not calling themselves 'centrists' anymore.