Moderate

In a Politics and Religion, a moderate is an individual who holds an intermediate position between those generally classified as being left-wing, Liberal, or socialist and those seen as being right-wing, conservative, or fundamentalist. The word "moderate" can also be used as an Adjective describing such a position.

In politics, moderates often seek conciliation between the views of various political parties, and often take positions partially derived from opposite views. For example, political moderates do not support the end of private property in the way advocated by Marxists, but they also do not support Laissez-faire Capitalism. Religious moderates tend to take a position that is more liberal than that of fundamentalists, but not as liberal as those who would readily and proudly call themselves such.

Perhaps because of their conciliatory and cautious general nature, it has been stated that there are no great moderates. While this point could certainly be argued, it is inarguable that the most memorable political and religious leaders have generally been at least largely identifiable as either left-wing or right-wing.

That said there have been a few religious and political moderates who could be deemed of great importance. For example Elizabeth I of England's attempt to create a "middle way" between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism was, in a sense, a noteworthy attempt at moderate compromise in a religiously contentious era. To an extent Nelson Rockefeller could count as a noteworthy political moderate. To a lesser extent several leading figures in the Centre Party (Finland) or of the Red Tory in Canada might count as moderate from their nation's perspectives.

Further moderates have their own importance. Usually the acceptance of the position being advocated by one of the two polar opposites is a result of one of them coming to terms with moderate supporters of that position, and usually, modification to make it acceptable to them. Also moderates can act as peacemakers in certain partisan battles.

Some political moderates are "bi-polar" in the sense that they side with right-wingers on certain classes of issues, but with left-wingers on others, rather than consistently staking out intermediate positions across the board. In the United States, the term "libertarian" is often used to denote those who hold conservative views on economic issues such as taxes and Welfare, but are liberal on social and moral issues like Abortion and Gay rights. A person holding views opposite to this on both counts - taking a liberal stand on economic issues while lining up with the conservatives socially and morally - is sometimes characterized as a "communitarian."

"Moderate" is by definition a relative term, since the position considered "moderate" depends on the nature of the two (or more) competing ideologies that the moderates are trying to conciliate. As such, the moderates in one country often do not share the views of moderates in other countries. Even within the same country or community, the position considered "moderate" changes over time. For example, in the Southern United States during the first half of the 19th century, supporting Slavery was considered a sensible and moderate view to hold. Today, in the same geographical area, supporting slavery is considered dangerous and unacceptable extremism.

See also: Centrism