Moderate or Centralist?

I was wondering, is a moderate a centralist?
A centralist lies between left and right wing or has a equal simpathy to both.

If this is so, why does the position of a moderate lie?

*bump*

So is anyone going to tell me whether a moderate is also a centralist?

[edit on 23-2-2005 by UK Wizard]

UK Wizard good question as for the answer it depends on the person your talking to. There is isnt a yes/no answer to your question.

There is a humongous difference between a "centralist" and a "centrist" that has escaped your attention.

Originally posted by MaskedAvatar
There is a humongous difference between a "centralist" and a "centrist" that has escaped your attention.

Care to explain further?

Originally posted by UK Wizard

Originally posted by MaskedAvatar
There is a humongous difference between a "centralist" and a "centrist" that has escaped your attention.

Care to explain further?

centralist is the noun of centralism; "Concentration of power and authority in a central organization, as in a political system"

centrist is also a noun and means; "One who takes a position in the political center; a moderate.".

www.dictionary.com

Yes, they are the same thing if you mean Centrist.

I consider myself a moderate and I personally define that as such:

Not picking a side and agreeing with everything they say, but paying attention to issues instead and not worrying what party agrees with that issue.

I've always considered there to be a difference.

Moderates mix a liberal and conservative agenda, picking one side or the other for each agenda. They are basically Libertarians but the less extreme version. Libertarians are extreme moderates.

Centrists, on the other hand, strive to create a liberal and conservative solution for every solution possible, if possible.

Originally posted by Drake_Danielson
I've always considered there to be a difference.

Moderates mix a liberal and conservative agenda, picking one side or the other for each agenda. They are basically Libertarians but the less extreme version. Libertarians are extreme moderates.

Centrists, on the other hand, strive to create a liberal and conservative solution for every solution possible, if possible.

I took a comprehensive online test, about 12 pages of questions and came out with this:



As "Liberalism" and "Liberatarianism" are somewhat in conflict, I guess that puts me RIGHT in the middle. That explains why I piss off both Ultra-Lib's and Neo-Con's.

Intrepid, do you have a link for that test?

I usually come out a strong libertarian because my views are extreme, but come from both sides of the 'aisle'.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Intrepid, do you have a link for that test?

I usually come out a strong libertarian because my views are extreme, but come from both sides of the 'aisle'.

Sorry, looked for it in "My ATS" wasn't there. I'm not sure that it was posted here. Probably elsewhere on the Net.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Intrepid, do you have a link for that test?

I usually come out a strong libertarian because my views are extreme, but come from both sides of the 'aisle'.

I found it. It was only 6 pages though. It was quite a while ago.

www.politicalcompass.org...

Cool test, I justb took the test and was placed moderately left towards Libertarianism.

But more center than anything. Which is about where I would put myself. I think this test is fairly accurate. I have been attacked by both the left ands right enough to confirm the tests results.

It is often times that us fence sitters recieve the worst of it. Both sides accuse us of not taking their side. Hey, at least we bring together to left and right for something huh...lol

also the quesiton of the thread has already been answered.. you were thinking of centrist probably... centrists are moderates.. centralists wish to have the govt hold the majority of power. I dont think you want to be a Centralist.

Personaly I like this test better.

It's shorter and to the point.

That other quiz had a lot of questions that I neither agreed or disagreed on.


www.theadvocates.org...

I end up near the top as a left as a libertarian.

I just took the first test and I'd have to say, for me, it seems accurate. I'm more anarchistic and more communist than the Dali Lama. Nice. Now when do the SS come to take me away on account of my answers?

My exact political compass was
Economic Left/Right: -6.50
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -7.03

Vas

To "Moderate Me."

Your political compass
Economic Left/Right: 2.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -0.05

Almost right down the middle...

The definition of a moderate is one who avoids extreme behaviour and stances. It's completely subjective as what you may consider extreme could be some one elses view of a moderate stance.

I dont think it entails sitting on a fence, that implies that you take into account both extremes and sit smack dab in the middle of it. That then implies you are a reactionary and rely on both extremes to pick your position. What good is that?

To me a moderate is more or less a conservative, but in the true sense of the word. A moderate is flexible on any given issue, hence not an extremist. A moderate is a realist who doesnt feel comfortable remaining in either side of politics (or the centre) rigidly.

A moderate bases their stances on their views, not some one elses.

Originally posted by subz


A moderate bases their stances on their views, not some one elses.

That basically says it all. As a Centrist I have moderate views on some issues, conservative views on others and liberal views on yet others. It's called thinking.

Originally posted by intrepid
That basically says it all. As a Centrist I have moderate views on some issues, conservative views on others and liberal views on yet others. It's called thinking.

Agreed, I took both tests mentioned in this thread and the results were not surprising to me.

I was labelled a Liberal Libertarian and was smack dab in the middle of the bottom left quadrant of the graph shown by Intrepid.

Does that mean im a Liberal on every topic, no. Does that mean im a Libertarian on every topic, no. But what do you expect from a questionaire that seeks to label a moderate?

I guess the most accurate label that could be placed on me is that I am a Liberal/Libertarian leaning moderate.

I dont belive in quite a lot of Liberal tenets. I dont believe affrimative action is fair, I dont think a man is entitled to a comfortable lifestyle if he isnt prepared to work for it, I believe parents should smack their kids and on and on...

If I was a fence sitter I would not be able to make a decision on anything, it is impossible. But I do make a decision and its based on what I think is right and just. Not what some one else thinks.

Well...i took your test, and got smack-bang on the left side (straight on the line).

I did think i had moderate views. I strongly believed i did

[edit on 25-7-2006 by infinite]