THE VICISSITUDES OF RADICAL CENTRISM: THE CASE OF AGNES HELLER, RADICAL CENTRIST AVANT LA LETTRE

In: Journal of political ideologies, Band 3, Heft 2, S. 147-167

Abstract

THIS PAPER SEEKS TO INTERROGATE THE CONCEPT OF "RADICAL CENTRISM," WHICH HAS RECENTLY ACHIEVED PROMINENCE IN BEING ADOPTED BY TONY BLAIR AS THE IDEOLOGY OF NEW LABOR. THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT THE CORE OF RADICAL CENTRISM IS THE DESIRE TO TRANSCEND THE CATEGORIES OF TRADITIONAL IDEOLOGICAL DISCOURSE AND DEVELOP A CONSENSUAL META-IDEOLOGY THAT COULD BE ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN AND WOMEN. IN AN ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH WHAT SUCH A PROJECT MIGHT ENTAIL, THE AUTHOR TURNS TO THE WORK OF AGNES HELLER. THE AUTHOR FINDS, HOWEVER, THAT THE COMBINATION OF DEONTOLOGICAL PERFECTIONISM, RADICAL REFORMISM, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A POSTMODERN ETHICS OF RESPONSIBILITY, DEMONSTRATE THE AT LEAST POTENTIALLY ANTI-POLITICAL CHARACTER OF THE UNDERTAKING.