The Vital Center Is More Radical Than You Think

How a misunderstood theory from nearly 70 years ago explains American politics.

Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., originator of The Vital Center, and John F. Kennedy. Source: The Washington Post

During the Trump presidency, a glut of terms and takes have been introduced to help Americans understand the current political moment. These takes have moved from newspaper columns to bookstore shelves. There are books about how democracies die, how the Founders would understand our current moment, and…