Editing Radical centrism (section)

{{short description|Political ideology}}
{{Party politics|political spectrum}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{liberalism sidebar|related}}{{Conservatism sidebar}}{{communitarianism sidebar|Related}}
'''Radical centrism''', also called the '''radical center''', the '''radical centre''', and the '''radical middle''', is a concept that arose in [[Western world|Western nations]] in the late 20th century. The ''[[Political radicalism|radical]]'' in the term refers to a willingness on the part of most radical centrists to call for fundamental reform of institutions.<ref name="Halstead">{{cite book|first1=Ted|last1=Halstead|first2=Michael|last2=Lind|title=The Radical Center: The Future of American Politics|year=2001|publisher=[[Doubleday (publisher)|Doubleday]]/[[Random House]]|location=New York City|page=16|isbn=978-0-385-50045-6}}</ref> The ''[[centrism]]'' refers to a belief that genuine solutions require [[Philosophical realism|realism]] and [[pragmatism]], not just idealism and emotion.<ref name="Avlon">{{cite book|first=John|last=Avlon|date=2004|title=Independent Nation: How the Vital Center Is Changing American Politics|publisher=[[Harmony Books]]/[[Random House]]|location=New York City|page=2|isbn=978-1-4000-5023-9}}</ref>

One radical centrist text defines radical centrism as "idealism without illusions",<ref>{{cite book|first=Mark|last=Satin|date=2004|title=Radical Middle: The Politics We Need Now|publisher=[[Westview Press]]/[[Basic Books]]|location=Boulder, Colorado|page=5|isbn=978-0-8133-4190-3}}</ref> a phrase originally from [[John F. Kennedy]].<ref>Avlon (2004), p. 109.</ref>  Radical centrists borrow ideas from the [[political left]] and the [[political right]], often melding them.<ref name="Olson" /> Most support [[market economy]]-based solutions to [[Social issue|social problems]], with strong governmental oversight in the [[public interest]].<ref name="Miller">{{cite book|first=Matthew|last=Miller|date=2003|title=The Two Percent Solution: Fixing America's Problems in Ways Liberals and Conservatives Can Love|publisher=Public Affairs/[[Perseus Books Group]]|location=New York City|page=71|isbn=978-1-58648-158-2}}</ref> There is support for increased global engagement and the growth of an empowered middle class in [[developing country|developing countries]].<ref name="Ted">{{cite book|editor-first=Ted|editor-last=Halstead|date=2004|title=The Real State of the Union: From the Best Minds in America, Bold Solutions to the Problems Politicians Dare Not Address|publisher=[[Basic Books]]|location=New York City|pages=13–19|isbn=978-0-465-05052-9}}</ref> In the United States, many radical centrists work within the major political parties; they also support [[Independent (politician)|independent]] or [[Third party (politics)|third-party]] initiatives and candidacies.<ref name="Avlon 2004, Part 4">Avlon (2004), Part 4.</ref>

One common criticism of radical centrism is that its policies are only marginally different from conventional centrist policies.<ref name=Marx>{{cite journal|first=Greg|last=Marx|date=25 July 2011|url=https://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/tom_friedmans_radical_wrongnes.php?page=all|title=Tom Friedman's 'Radical' Wrongness|journal=[[Columbia Journalism Review]]|publisher=[[Columbia University]]|location=New York City|access-date=1 February 2013}}</ref> Some observers see radical centrism as primarily a process of catalyzing dialogue and fresh thinking among polarized people and groups.<ref name=Krattenmaker/>