Public figures ‘triangulate’ to position themselves as the 'moderate middle' in a debate between two sets of antagonists.
Everything Tony Blair knows about triangulation was learnt at the feet of Bill Clinton. And everything Bill Clinton knows about triangulation was learnt at the feet of Dick Morris. Dick Morris is one of America’s top political strategists and helped UKIP achieve its June 2004 electoral successes.
The idea of triangulation is simple and has been politically potent for a range of Third Way politicians like Blair and Clinton. Triangulators reject the Manichaean idea that there are only two sides to great debates. Clinton used triangulation to distinguish himself from both left-wing ('MooreOn') Democrats and right-wing Republicans. Tony Blair used triangulation to position himself between high-taxing Old Labour and an uncharitable caricature of Thatcherism.
Moderate positioning
Triangulation has been devastatingly effective in altering the terms of much political debate. Politicians who place themselves at the apex of the triangle appear moderate (and far-sighted) in comparison to those who occupy the edge positions of the triangle.
Most voters prefer moderation in their government. The Liberal Democrats prosper as serial triangulators – constantly presenting themselves as ‘the reasonable choice’ between Labour and the Conservatives. This is often deceitful as the LibDems are really wolves-in-sheep's-clothing - holding immoderate views on tax, Europe, Iraq, immigration and family values.
Triangulating politicians have outflanked their opponents across the world. But does triangulation make for good government?
Triangulation as a governing philosophy
Following a middle course is often the wrong choice for the governance of the country. Splitting the difference in the war on terror could be disastrous, for example. If a nation is going in the wrong direction on waste management, public spending, military strategy, crime or embryo experimentation then travelling only half-way is still at least half-wrong.
Holding triangulated positions doesn’t have to produce ineffective government, however. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s muscular middle agenda comprises bold policies on tax, spending and education.
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