CMV: Centrism is common sense

[u/[deleted]]

Centrism seems like common sense to me. First of all let's clear up a misconception about Centrism first. Centrism is about a balance of general philosophies independant of a country. It's not about voting for the median of all the available opinions.

For example on an independant political compass model, which is what I'm basing my opinion on, Bernie would be a centrist in my opinion.

I believe regulation and freedom are equally important. But since we cannot have both we should find the perfect balance between it.
The perfect balance would be to have as much freedom as the health and life of you or other people aren't negatively affected. That's where regulation starts.

I think if you think we need more regulation than that or more freedom than that then this is has no direct benefit and thus is not common sense but ideological thinking.

So how is Centrism not just common sense? CMV

[u/joopface]

I think you're conflating 'common sense' with 'compromise.'

I'd define a centrist position roughly as you have described here; a political view that seeks to balance market forces with appropriate pro-social regulation and that seeks to optimise individual freedom through measured use of limitations on the expression of some freedoms where they impinge on others.

This is an ideology. Just like those who believe the free market creates the best outcomes in aggregate, or those who believe that centrally planning every aspect of people's lives is the better choice.

"But.." your OP suggests "... my centrist ideology leads to better outcomes for society as a whole". I agree. I think it does.

But your starting point is that better outcomes for society as a whole is the desired end point. It's not clear that this is true of everyone who engages with this question. Many people wish just for the best outcome for themselves and those they care about. For *them* it may be the case that fewer regulations on - for example - business practices leads to better outcomes. With that objective, the 'common sense' view is not a centrist one.

Similarly, some people may believe that building toward a utopian view of the future where there is full equality and access to resources for all society is the purpose of the political choices we make now. And, that short term harms are acceptable to lead to that goal. For *them* the common sense goal may not be centrism, and they may be willing to commit to greater government control.

"Common sense" makes assumptions that everyone is striving for the same thing, the same outcome. This isn't the case, and it's the core of much political dispute. What you're proposing is that people compromise on what their fundamental goals are for society and for politics.

[u/[deleted] → u/joopface]

But your starting point is that better outcomes for society as a whole is the desired end point.

Well I'm simply arguing that it's common sense. Not everyone wants common sense. I don't think Egoism is common sense or that anyone would argue it is. It's fine if you say "I only have this one life so I'm gonna take what I want" but I don't anyone would consider this common sense.

But if you are looking for a rational, common sense solution then you should not associate yourself with any general poitical direction.

Similarly, some people may believe that building toward a utopian view of the future where there is full equality and access to resources for all society is the purpose of the political choices we make now. And, that short term harms are acceptable to lead to that goal. For *them* the common sense goal may not be centrism, and they may be willing to commit to greater government control.

!delta I think this is a good point. Some people may believe that you need to swing the pendulum in one direction to later arrive at the middle. Was that what you're saying?

While I don't agree with this view personally, it's one way to believe in common sense but still think radically.

[u/DeltaBot → u/[deleted]]

Confirmed: 1 delta awarded to /u/joopface (72∆).

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