Political centrists favor a flexible, pragmatic and non-ideological approach to government policy. They tend to occupy the middle-ground of political opinion but are rarely attached to particular policies. This is not because centrists lack conviction or ideas but because they appreciate the utter difficulty of predicting policy effects over time. Like scientists, centrists appreciate their own limitations and the need to keep an open mind. And like scientists, they are ever-alert to the possibility of being wrong.
In other words, centrists think hard about policy. But being thoughtful doesn’t imply timidity or even incrementalism. One can appreciate the complexity of it all and still push for decisive action. Or: one can think like a scientist but act like a doctor. Like scientists, medical doctors appreciate their own limitations. Yet they are tasked with making important decisions – possibly life-and-death decisions – despite not knowing for sure they’ve got it right. Doctors need to be willing to act boldly, willing to do nothing, and willing to change their minds. Because the health of the patient is what’s important – not a foolish consistency with past opinions. The same principle applies when the patient is the country. At least if you’re a centrist.
Just as doctors practice evidence-based medicine, centrist decision-makers practice evidence-based policy-making. They want to know what’s worked before, what’s failed, what were some of the trade-offs and unintended consequences. They look at the experiences of other jurisdictions, states and countries. And they know the difference between wishful theorizing and hard evidence.
So what is a Bold Centrist? A centrist willing to aim high, responsibly.