Ideology or centralism?

[Tri-Nitro-Toluene]

If you look at politics, it becomes apparent that only those who possess the centre ground are electable. This leads to political parties vying for the centre ground and giving out similar policies. This has occurred in the UK with New Labour and David Cameron's Tories, and also in the US, most recently seen with the Democrats and their fielding of more conservative candidates in the midterms.

But is this a good thing?

In the US, presidential candidates must curb their beliefs to appeal to the centre ground, the swing voters in a few select states. John Kerry springs to mind. He has voted in favour of gun control multiple times, but whilst running for president, had to pander to the gun toting masses so he could try and gain control.

Tony Blair didn't make use of his landslide majority to the extent he could have done due to his wanting to only do what is popular to remain in power.

The effects of this move to the centre are thus:

Firstly, the congregation at the centre ground will force other parties to become more extreme in order to get their voices heard. On its own this is not bad, for these parties would receive few votes, but the domination of the centre ground also means there is a lack of choice for the electorate. This means that should they become disillusioned with the main parties they will vote for the more extreme parties thus placing nations in danger of extremism, which in any form, whether it be left wing or right wing, is detrimental.

The second affect has already been mentioned: Disillusionment of the electorate.

Should the electorate become disillusioned with the centre ground they will look for alternatives. Those alternatives being the extremists on the fringe of politics. This can be seen in the UK with the rise of nationalist fascists such s the British National Party who have recently been gaining strength due to disillusionment with the main two parties.

I don't need to tell you that extremism is bad. All you need do is look at what happens to people when capitalism goes unchecked, or when liberalism becomes socialism and ultimately communism.

So if political parties dominating the centre ground is bad, then what are the alternatives?

The obvious answer is to spread out beliefs. Return to the traditional left wing Vs Right wing that has been the template of politics for decades, if not centuries.

But this has its downsides itself as this allows ideology to dominate the system. Why is this bad? Ideology is dogmatic. A staunch conservative is not going to implement a liberal policy no matter what the benefits are, or even if there are no other ways out.

This of course leads to a detrimental affect on nations as a refusal to compromise or look at things from another perspective leads to the best path not being taken.

So I ask you; which way should politics turn?

Should we move back towards the days of ideology where party A stood for x beliefs and Party B stood for Y? Or should we embrace the new found centralism that has occurred?

[K-RadPie]

I agree with you about too many politicians catering too much to the center. It kind of ruins the purpose.

[ReThink]

Moderation in moderation. Go figure.

Mind you if the government is actually doing stuff properly people shouldn't be getting disillusioned with their government. In my province of Manitoba here in Canada premier Gary Doer recently won a third majority government actually increasing his party's number of seats this time around from the last majority. And despite being a NDP politician his platform is pretty moderate. People like the centre, and by the looks of it, they don't seem to get sick of it so long as the government does their job right.

[Boltrig]

I also believe that politics has slid too far towards the centre. The problem with a return to left v right wing is that it would just turn into a race back to the middle ground.

First party to get there without seeming idiotic wins.

[bob111unknown]

Ok i apoligise, i diddnt read whole thing :(

But.... I agree, you should not have to curve you beliefs to be elected!
Good old fasion standing up for wat you think is the way to go.....

[Tri-Nitro-Toluene]

At 6/17/07 08:50 PM, ReThink wrote: Mind you if the government is actually doing stuff properly people shouldn't be getting disillusioned with their government.

The thing is most politicians don't do a good job.

How many politicians follow through with what they promise? Regardless of whether or not its their fault their policies weren't initiated, the people perceive the politician to be at fault. Thus driving them away from the centre ground towards the extremes.

If we could magically make all politicians do good, then this wouldn't be a problem. But lets be honest, most politicians that go for national or internationals power are slime balls.

Those who seek power are not fit to wield it. Those who would wield power justly do not seek it.

Lose lose situation really.

[TwO-FaCeD-PaRaNoID]

It's occuring in The Dutchielands too! The labour party,(PVDA) the freedom party (vvd) and the Christian democrats all have similar policies if you'd close one eye and look at it from a distance. OFcourse they favour different groups in society, while the Christians favour the middle class, the freedom party favours the upper-class and entrepreneurs, and the social democrats favour the lower middle class and upper-lower class.

Still these parties haven't become populist, they just know the rules of ruling. If they form a coalition (which is necessary here) they need policies that can easily be addepted to one another.

And they need policies that suit the whole nation best.

Not just one ideal.

[Tancrisism]

You are mainly talking about elections. Most who seem somewhat moderate or centrist are only such in winning the election so they can appeal to the most people possible; afterwards their true idealist colors show.

I'm a true moderate though, so I'd of course side with centralism.

[Tri-Nitro-Toluene]

At 6/18/07 01:38 PM, Tancrisism wrote: You are mainly talking about elections.

I do see your point

Most who seem somewhat moderate or centrist are only such in winning the election so they can appeal to the most people possible; afterwards their true idealist colors show.

Elections are the time when the path a nation takes is decided. Very rarely will someone be elected on a moderate manifesto/ set of policies, and then go implement their true beliefs. To do so would be suicide, said person would be considered untrustworthy for lying, and would therefore lose out at the next election. It would be political suicide.

I'm a true moderate though, so I'd of course side with centralism.

I both agree and disagree with you. I think only Centrists should run the world, but we need the wing jobs on the left and the right to make us look more appealing :-)

'cause lets be honest, on its own Centralism is a bit dull and boring :P But when its put in perspective with everything else it looks good.