Centrism, Ian Dunt
Centrism, Ian Dunt
List: $31.99 | Sale: $22.40
Club: $15.99

Centrism
The Story of an Idea (An Origin Story Book)

Author: Ian Dunt, Dorian Lynskey

Narrator: Dorian Lynskey, Ian Dunt

Unabridged: 5 hr 16 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/17/2024

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

AN ORIGIN STORY BOOK

'Provides clarity, scholarship, wit and essential insight into why our world is the way it is' Adam Rutherford
'I wish I could make Ian and Dorian's work mandatory' Sathnam Sanghera

A coherent political philosophy or a vacuous cop-out? A pragmatic middle way between the extremes of left and right or a cynical strategy to secure power and neuter debate?

Politicians have long invoked centrism as both a term of abuse (Margaret Thatcher) and a badge of pride (Tony Blair). Figures as important as John Maynard Keynes, Roy Jenkins, Bill Clinton and Emmanuel Macron have all had different ideas about how to make sure the centre holds. But for a term that purports to describe consensus, it's ironic just how little agreement there is over what 'centrism' actually means.

In Centrism: The Story of an Idea, Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey trace the evolution of centrism from ancient Greece to the French Revolution, the Second World War to the 2024 elections. They find a story that is much bigger than the sum of its parts - and that raises some uncomfortable questions about tribalism and compromise.

About Ian Dunt

Ian Dunt spent many years working in the heart of Westminster as editor of Politics.co.uk. He is a columnist for the i newspaper, host on the Oh God What Now and Origin Story podcasts, and regularly appears as a political pundit on TV and radio. He is the author of two previous books - Brexit: What the Hell Happens Now and How to be a Liberal.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Isaac on January 05, 2025

A very worthwhile Christmas holiday read! I got this book for Christmas from my wife who clearly knows me very well. I enjoyed fleshing out my knowledge of some of the great centrists over the decades. From Aristotle, through Thomas Cromwell, the French Revolution, J.S. Mill, Schlesinger, Keynes, Je......more

Goodreads review by Antonia on March 07, 2025

Interesting to learn about the origins of Centrism and how the Left and Right have manipulated the term to their advantage. Essential reading for the politically conscious.......more

Goodreads review by John on February 06, 2025

In the highly polarised world of today, the idea of centralism is appealing. Dunt and Lynskey try to explain what centralism is, how it grew from even before the French Revolution to what it is today. That’s the problem: what is it today? Centre-left, centre-right, or something outside the left-righ......more

Goodreads review by Aran on April 15, 2025

I can't recommend this series of books highly enough After exploring the story of Fascism and Conspiracy Theory, this last book in a series of 3 talks through the origins of Centrism to where it is today I think Centrist thought is more important now than ever. With politics becoming more and more ex......more


Quotes

In a time of political turmoil, when ideas and movements are misunderstood and misrepresented, Ian and Dorian provide clarity, scholarship, wit and essential insight into why our world is the way it is

Too many concepts are bandied about in current affairs without people really understanding them. Ian and Dorian have done the hard work to separate truth from fiction and prejudice, seeking nuance wherever it is available. I wish I could make their writing mandatory