New Labour marketed itself as above left and right to overcome political antagonism

Evidence

Since the mid-l 980s - and this was of course accelerated by the collapse of communism - we have heard a lot about the demise of the leftlright opposition, and this has been accompanied by a move towards the centre of most socialist panies. Since New Labour came to power in Britain such a move is presented as the new form of radicalism, the cornerstone of a politics coming to terms with the ‘death of socialism’ and the ‘challenge of globalization’. After promoting the label of ‘centre-left’, Blair and his advisers now generally try avoiding any reference to the left altogether. Since its victory New Labour has begun to market itself as a radical movement, albeit of a new type, a third way between social democracy and neo-Iiberalism. This third way, marketed by Tony Blair as the ‘New Politics for the New Century’ in a Fabian Pamphlet, is envisaged as occupying a position which, by being located abow left and right, thereby manages to overcome their old antagonism. Unlike the traditional centre, which lies in the middle of the spectrum between right and left, this, we are told, is a ‘radical centre’ that transcends the traditional left/right division by articulating themes and values from both sides in a new synthesis. — Chantal Mouffe, The Democratic Paradox, 483

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines the ‘radical centre’ / third way concept that Mouffe’s agonistic politics attacks.
• XREF: connects to: New Labour’s emo-politics were fundamental to securing UK neoliberalism — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk: The Collected and Unpublished…, 1928; New Labour conceded the impossibility of leftist hegemony rather than attempting it — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk: The Collected and Unpublished…, 1485; New Labour operated within Thatcher’s neoliberal parameters. (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• New Labour conceded the impossibility of leftist hegemony rather than attempting it #expands (0.82) — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 1485
• New Labour succeeded Thatcherism by accommodating globalization while attending to the excluded #expands (0.80)
• New Labour operated within Thatcher’s neoliberal parameters. #qualifies (0.78)
• The British labour movement embedded itself within the state rather than challenging it hegemonically #complicates (0.74) — Cedric J. Robinson, Black Marxism_ The Making of the Black…, 1215