The Peril of Reactionary Centrism in American Politics
As America navigates the aftermath of another Trump presidency, a dangerous political phenomenon requires urgent examination. The concept of "reactionary centrism" has emerged as a significant threat to democratic discourse, creating false equivalences while disproportionately targeting progressive voices.
The False Equivalence Phenomenon
Political communications specialist Aaron Huertas first identified reactionary centrism in 2018, describing how self-proclaimed moderates claim to oppose extremes on both sides while reserving their harshest criticism almost exclusively for the left. This creates a misleading perception of balance where none exists, particularly damaging when audiences already understand the dangers of right-wing extremism.
This dynamic manifested through thousands of columns fueling moral panic about "wokeness" and identity politics. These narratives suggested that while Trump represented a threat, progressive campus movements posed equal danger to American democracy. The reality, however, revealed a different story: selective anecdotes from elite institutions were recycled endlessly to create disproportionate concern.
Asymmetric Criticism and Political Consequences
The fundamental problem isn't that progressive policies should escape criticism, but rather that the relentless pursuit of "both sides" criticism generates a false sense of equivalence. This asymmetry became particularly evident during the 2024 election cycle, where reactionary centrist analysis helped frame Trump's victory as legitimate backlash against supposed left-wing overreach.
This narrative persisted despite Kamala Harris's campaign focusing on socioeconomic promises and dire warnings about threats to democracy and rule of law. The reactionary centrist framework conveniently ignored these substantive policy discussions in favor of culture war framing.
The Agency Imbalance
Another troubling aspect of reactionary centrism involves its assignment of political agency. Within this framework, only the left and liberals possess genuine agency, while the right merely reacts to progressive initiatives. This perspective dangerously underestimates right-wing political projects as mere backlash rather than self-generated agendas.
This becomes particularly concerning when examining policies like Stephen Miller's ethnic cleansing proposals, which represent deliberate political projects rather than reactions to legitimate grievances about border security. The failure to recognize right-wing agency enables dangerous policies to advance under the guise of reasonable response.
Liberal Narcissism and Cultural Framing
Following the dual shocks of Trump's 2016 election and Brexit, many liberals engaged in public contrition, confessing failures to understand "left-behind" communities. While self-reflection has value, this performance often concealed profound narcissism: the assumption that liberal actions alone determine political outcomes.
This dynamic reinforces right-wing claims to represent "real America" while accepting asymmetric cultural standards. Republicans routinely malign urban dwellers without consequence, while any Democratic commentary about rural areas triggers prolonged controversy. Liberals have largely accepted this imbalance, effectively conceding cultural framing to their opponents despite polling suggesting progressive positions often enjoy broader popularity.
Centrism in an Asymmetrical Landscape
Centrist positioning made historical sense when confronting both fascism and authoritarian state socialism simultaneously. However, in today's profoundly asymmetrical political environment, reflexive middle-ground positioning becomes increasingly problematic.
While nobody must embrace progressive champions like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or Bernie Sanders, equating them with Trump or suggesting they pose greater threats actively undermines democratic foundations. Similarly, procedural centrism that prioritizes compromise becomes problematic when only one side values bipartisanship while the other maximizes power without restraint.
The Post-Trump Challenge
The Biden presidency faced constant warnings against "overdoing" progressive reforms. As America moves beyond the Trump era, the nation risks experiencing renewed influence from reactionary centrist voices repackaging old arguments. These perspectives threaten to obstruct essential democratic reforms while maintaining destructive false equivalences.
Understanding and challenging reactionary centrism becomes crucial for preserving American democracy. The political landscape demands clear-eyed assessment of asymmetric threats rather than comfortable middle-ground positioning that ultimately serves anti-democratic forces. As America rebuilds, citizens must think critically before accepting narratives that equate substantively different political projects while disproportionately targeting progressive voices.
