Oh, and one useful term might be "humble progressivism". This directly answers
the primary negative reaction (dang, wish Kevin was here) to the "progressive"
term.
The counterpart might well be 'innovative conservatives", those whose are
willing to adapt new mechanisms to serve age-old ideals.
Hmm...
The Positive Centrist Manifesto
How Humble Progressives and Innovative Conservatives
Can Together Incrementally Improve Society
Not quite there, but it has the seeds of something interesting...
E
On Jan 10, 2012, at 12:39 PM, Dr. Ernie Prabhakar wrote:
>
>> Integrated the changes. Oddly enough, it turned the tenet into the opening
>> of a manifesto:
>> -----------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Very good stuff. I'll want to post this on RC.org once it finalizes.
>
> A few more words to think about incorporating:
>
> - courage
> - hope
> - passion
> - learning
>
> I think you've got the right facts, but they don't "sing" yet. We need a
> centrism that stirs the hearts, not just the minds (as I keep telling Ash the
> Moderate).
>
> As a side note, I've been thinking a lot about producing A Centrist Manifesto
> incorporating the various viewpoints expressed on Centroids. Perhaps this
> could be the Preamble...
>
> Keep up the great work!
>
> -- Ernie P.
>
> On Jan 10, 2012, at 12:34 PM, Mike Gonzalez wrote:
>
>> Integrated the changes. Oddly enough, it turned the tenet into the opening
>> of a manifesto:
>> -----------------------------------------------------
>>
>> When pessimism infects centrism, it becomes angry populism. It is true that
>> anger can help one recognize what is important, but it is essential that
>> anger is disciplined and channeled correctly. At its core, anger is an
>> energizer, but is no substitute-for or equal-of true productivity.
>>
>> When apathy blends with centrism, it creates the traditional view of the
>> lazy, valueless independent. A great nation requires the fostering of a
>> deliberative, educated citizenry. A great political movement would do its
>> part by bringing issues directly to citizens for informed discussion, which
>> would result in a better scrutinized body of elected representatives, itself
>> leading to better lawmaking.
>>
>> Rather than anger or apathy, what is needed is a tempered positivity in
>> scientific centrism. This scientific "radical" centrism channels the best
>> aspects of an ideology that believes in the application of workable
>> solutions to create a positive impact on civil society. Consequently, a
>> rejection of pessimism and apathy in favor of sober belief in a society's
>> ability to improve itself is an essential aspect of centrism. The result of
>> this is a progressive evolution that supports testable change to improve the
>> lot of the entire populace.
>>
>> The result is a rejection of the moralistic utopianism that characterizes
>> modern progressivism, a movement that exists as its own unaccountable
>> religion of moral imperatives. This additionally serves as a rejection of
>> the conservatism that questions whether we even have the intellectual
>> ability to improve the human condition. Recognition that we live
>> significantly longer, communicate much more quickly, and feed and clothe
>> many more citizens than we did in the 18th century is testament to the fact
>> that the human condition improves. In contrast to the reigning alternatives,
>> in our centrism, the improvement of civil society can be maximized through
>> rational, measured integration of scientific, technological, and social
>> advancements.
>>
>> --
>> Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community
>> <[email protected]>
>> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism
>> Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org
>
>
> --
> Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community
> <[email protected]>
> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism
> Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org
--
Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community
<[email protected]>
Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism
Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org
