This video features Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute, discussing his book "Dead Centre: How Political Pragmatism is Killing Us." He argues that the concept of the "sensible centre" in politics is a dangerous myth used to stifle meaningful debate and prevent necessary change. Denniss critiques various definitions of centrism, highlighting how they are often used as rhetorical tools by political parties to dismiss opposing views as "extreme" and how they can be manipulated to avoid accountability or action on critical issues like climate change. He uses historical examples and anecdotes to illustrate how political pragmatism, often disguised as centrism, leads to inaction and the preservation of the status quo.
Richard Denniss uses the analogy "democracy is like a donut, there's nothing in the center" to emphasize his argument that the "sensible centre" in politics is an empty concept. He suggests that if you focus solely on the space between the two major political parties (the "centre"), you'll find there's no substantive policy or meaningful action happening there. Instead, the real substance and the potential for impactful ideas lie outside of this perceived middle ground. He implies that the center is merely a void, a non-space, that politicians and media often refer to, but which lacks genuine content or purpose.
