Challenges of a Centrist Political Position

Red
Oct 23, 2023
5 min read

Updated: Oct 1, 2024

Centrism, a political stance often associated with balance and moderation, has its merits in certain contexts. However, as our world grapples with profound issues of injustice and oppression, the relevance of centrism has come into question. The aim of this article is not to criticize centrists but to shed light on the potential consequences of maintaining a centrist stance, particularly in situations marked by clear victim-oppressor dynamics. While centrism might be well-intentioned, it's vital to examine its impact when addressing issues demanding a firm stance against injustice and oppression. This article explores the complexities and nuances surrounding centrism and its implications in our increasingly polarized world.

PHOTO CREDIT: Image by Elmer L. Geissler from Pixabay

Which Centrism?

Centrism can take on different forms, such as leftist-centrism or right-centrism. However, this article centers around individuals who do not align themselves with either the left or the right and are often referred to as "centrists" [1]. The ideology of centrism is often viewed as a means of attaining balance and moderation. However, with the world grappling with significant issues of injustice and oppression, the relevance of centrism is questionable.

Apolitical stances

It's important to acknowledge that it's perfectly okay if you choose not to take a stance on a topic that you feel uninformed about. It's often the best course of action to avoid spreading harmful misinformation. Being "apolitical" is similar, where one chooses not to involve themselves in politics because of their lack of knowledge on the subject. But the issue with this is that no one can truly be fully apolitical, and it can lead to problems when a centrist position is adopted in situations where there is a clear oppressor and a victim. In such cases, remaining neutral can perpetuate oppressive systems and ideologies. Not taking a clear stance when there is a victim and an oppressor can be seen as taking the side of the oppressor, as it fails to stand up against injustice.

The Fallacy of Neutrality

Centrism is often associated with the idea of maintaining a neutral stance between opposing views. While it can offer a balanced perspective in some situations, being open to listening to ideas from both sides, it is important to recognize that neutrality can become a fallacy when it comes to issues of clear oppression and injustice. Taking a neutral stance in such cases can have a negative effect, as it fails to acknowledge the reality of the situation and can even enable the oppressor. Therefore, it is important to take a stand and speak up against oppression and injustice, rather than trying to stay neutral.

A Lack of Solid Ideas

Having a centrist position often means lacking a solid ideological foundation. In the current world where left-wing and right-wing ideologies are prevalent, centrist individuals advocating for centrism may be seen as wavering between two extremes without a clear sense of their principles or having two opinions that contradict each other, meaning that one ideal can't exist at the same time as the other. An example of this in the US would be to support a movement like Black Lives Matter but also support the currently oppressive and systemically racist police.

This lack of conviction can lead to situations where nobody is genuinely content, and the oppressed may suffer the most. In cases where clear ideological conflicts exist, centrists may be viewed as right-wing apologists by leftist movements and communist panderers by right-wing movements. Thus, it is crucial to adopt a clear stance and have a thorough understanding of one's principles to promote a fair and just society.

It is important to realize that the centrist approach is not always the answer to bridging the gap between two extremes. Instead, it may lead to a lack of progress in situations where clear and well-defined principles are necessary. Therefore, it is essential to have a solid ideological foundation to facilitate progress towards a just and equitable society.

Geo-Political Example

The topic of our last blog article [2]; the recent developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict serves as a great example. While we previously discussed the oppression faced by Palestinians under the colonialist apartheid of the Israeli state, many individuals, driven by Islamophobic views, openly or indirectly support the genocide of the Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank. Some take a centrist view, arguing that with the attacks from Hamas, there are "bad people on both sides." However, this perspective fails to grasp the fundamental issue at hand—the presence of an oppressor. It perpetuates the false equivalence fallacy and neglects the glaring victim-oppressor dynamic [3].

A Clear and Decisive Stance

We believe that adopting a centrist perspective, while it may seem prudent, is often unwise and uncertain. Political decisions demand clear and decisive stances, as indecision and inaction can perpetuate injustice. The world is undoubtedly complex, and making clear decisions on multifaceted issues can be challenging. Nevertheless, it is essential to choose a side and work towards tangible solutions rather than remaining in a state of limbo due to conflicting ideologies.

The Influence of Centrism on Corporations

It is important to note that while Liberals do not necessarily fall under the Centrist category, Centrists often align with Liberalism due to the ideals that Liberalism promotes. One of the key tenets of Liberalism [5] is the defense of individual rights, including civil and human rights. The purpose of these rights is to elevate both individuals and corporations, though unfortunately, the latter tends to benefit more. It is important to recognize that this support for corporations can inadvertently aid the oppressor [6].

Centrists may fail to fully realize that their policies often contribute to the oppression of the proletariat, while simultaneously serving the interests of corporations. The idea of "trickle-down economics," which suggests that enriching corporations will benefit workers, is a notion that is often endorsed by Centrists. However, the reality of this approach is quite different. While corporations may benefit, the benefits do not necessarily trickle down to the workers. In fact, workers may suffer as a result of policies that prioritize corporate interests over the interests of the people. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider the impact of policies on all members of society, rather than solely focusing on corporate gain.

Conclusion

We, at Politdigm, uphold a strong leftist ideology, and we are pleased with the openness to dialogue of centrists with the left and leftist ideas. We believe that being a centrist is better than having right-wing ideals, but regardless, we have issues regarding it. While we understand the concept of having a balanced perspective, it can be harmful when addressing issues of clear injustice and oppression. Taking a neutral stance in such scenarios is equivalent to indirectly supporting oppressors. Additionally, centrism's lack of solid ideological principles can lead to dissatisfaction and the perpetuation of oppressive systems.

Therefore, it is crucial to take a clear and decisive stance on matters of injustice, promoting a more equitable society. The complexities of the world demand well-informed decisions, not indecision in the face of incompatible ideologies. Our objective with this article is not to attack, but to provide our perspective as a leftist organization on centrism, and to showcase and raise awareness of the inherent contradictions of centrism.

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