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The vicissitudes of `radical centrism': the case of Agnes Heller, radical centrist avant la lettre*
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 Labour. We contend 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 we turn to the work of Agnes Heller, whose definition of her own project bears similarities to that of New Labour. We find, however, that the combination of deontological perfectionism, radical reformism and, latterly, the development of a postmodern `ethics of responsibility', whilst remaining in tune with the desire to develop such a position, demonstrates the at least potentially anti-political character of the undertaking.
Introduction
If anything can be said to characterize New Labour it is a penchant for novelty. This being the early days of New Labour's administration, this penchant has so far only had the chance to manifest itself in the prefacing of everything falling under its spell with the word 'New'. As well as the name of the party itself, there is New Thinking, New Language and New Britain. It seems clear, however, that New Labour intends to rethink its ideological identity as well. The clearest sign of this so far has been the leadership's studious avoidance of the labels familiarly used by European centre-left parties to describe themselves. `Social democratic' `democratic socialist' and `Christian democratic' are terms that already have a vaguely antique feel to them. Asked after his historic victory to define what New Labour stood for, Blair replied that it was `radical centrism', a term of much less certain origin and hence with less ideological baggage associated with it. The message was clear: a New Ideology for a New Britain-perfect for New Labour. This was of course an understandable move for strategic reasons as well. All the other labels have their own traditions, ideological figureheads, and shibboleths. Tying itself to one of these terms might therefore force Labour's hand. It might bind itself to the realization of a particular...