What is Centrism?
Avoids strong commitments on either side, preferring pragmatic, incremental compromise between competing views.
On our 12-axis map it is defined by democracy rule (76%), open trade trade (60%), global nation (56%) and acceleration technology (56%), and stays fairly neutral on power, liberty, nation, force, culture, ownership, markets, faith, tradition and technology. On the two-axis compass it falls in the Libertarian Centre area.
What Centrism stands for
Leaders should be chosen, criticized and replaced by the people, regularly and freely.
Fewer tariffs and borders for goods; cheaper products and global supply chains.
Big problems are shared; international law and institutions deserve real authority.
Push science and technology forward fast; the upside outweighs the risk.
Libertarian Centre
Economic +0.5 · Social -3.1 (−10 to +10).
Biggest difference: faith — Centrism is more secular (52% vs 20%).
Biggest difference: tradition — Centrism is more traditional (48% vs 24%).
Biggest difference: trade — Centrism is more open trade (60% vs 26%).
Nearest historical thinkers: John Maynard Keynes (87%), John Locke (86%) and Mary Wollstonecraft (86%).
Centrism, axis by axis
Government
World
Economy
Society
Profiles are simplified summaries of mainstream positions; real movements vary by country and era. Methodology.
FAQ
Is Centrism left or right?
On the classic political compass Centrism sits at economic +0.5 and social -3.1 (−10 to +10), which places it in the Libertarian Centre area. Economically it leans toward markets and private ownership.
What does Centrism believe?
Avoids strong commitments on either side, preferring pragmatic, incremental compromise between competing views. Its most defining positions are democracy on rule, open trade on trade, global on nation and acceleration on technology.
What ideologies are similar to Centrism?
The closest profiles on our 12 axes are Christian Democracy (88% similar), Social Democracy (86% similar) and Left-Wing Populism (84% similar).
Am I a Centrism supporter?
Take the free 12 Axes test: your result shows your match percentage with Centrism and 30 other ideologies.