Political Centrism

This page lists my Social Science Research Network (SSRN) working papers addressing the subject of political centrism. These papers define the term; situate centrism within the history of political philosophy and the political spectrum, especially as perceived in America (specifically explaining centrism as an adaptation of classical conservatism to mid-twentieth century Cold War America); and proceeds to discuss a number of smaller aspects of the phenomenon, particularly the connections between centrism and the culture of the professional groups, centrism's bounding of the legitimate spectrum of political discourse, and centrism's influence on the conduct of the mainstream of the American media.

Centrism: What it is and is Not
"American Centrism: Five Theses." (2022)

"'What is Centrism?': An Examination of Centrism as a Conservative Political Philosophy." (2021)

"'What is Centrism?': A Follow-Up." (2022)

"The Centrist Electoral Promise of a More Competent Conservatism: A Note." (2023)

"Classical Conservatism, Centrism and the Emotional Appeal of Ideology." (2024)

Centrism in Relation to Other Ideologies and Tendencies
"On the Confusion of Centrism with Liberalism: A Note." (2023)

"The Confusion of the Political Center with the Left: A Note on Some of the Implications." (2023)

"Pseudo-Conservatives, Pseudo-Liberals, the Pseudo-Left and the Incoherence of American Political Discourse." (2023)

"Centrism and the Legitimate Bounds of Political Discourse: A Note." (2023)

"Centrism and Populism: A Note." (2022)

"Revisiting Richard Hofstadter's 'Pseudo-Conservatism.'" (2023)

"What is Fascism? The View From Left, Center and Right: A Note." (2022)

"Centrists' Stance Toward Neoliberalism's Critics: A Note." (2022)

Centrism and the Professional Occupational Groups
"Centrism and the Politics of Expertise in American Discourse: A Note." (2023)

"The Professional Outlook and Political Centrism: A Note." (2023)

Centrism and the Media
"Toward a Fuller Understanding of Media Bias: The Role of Centrist Ideology." (2022)

"Toward a Theory of Media 'Both Sidesism': A Note." (2024)

Centrism Outside the United States
"Centrism, The Labour Party and Keir Starmer in 2023: A Note." (2023)