Centrism Now Dominates American Politics

Centrism is not a term you've heard much in American politics in recent years. But it is emerging now.

Don't be fooled. Republicans and Democrats are "even more divided than in the past," according to a new analysis from the Pew Research Center. But the percentage of people in the middle is growing.

Republicans, Democrats and Independent were all around 30 percent affiliation in 2003. Look at any other year going back to 1939 and you'll see that it varies a lot over time [see historic graph]. Now it looks like this:

• Independents: 36 percent
• Democrats: 35 percent
• Republicans: 23 percent

"The proportion of independents now equals its highest level in 70 years," Pew analysts write. And who are they? "The growing political middle is steadfastly mixed in its beliefs about government, the free market and other values that underlie views on contemporary issues and policies."

Mixed beliefs. That's enough to drive Republicans and Democrats crazy!

One last thing: The middle isn't what it used to be. It's leaning to the right. "Owing to defections from the Republican Party, independents are more conservative on several key issues than in the past."