modérés

Modérés is a political label used to describe individuals or movements that advocate moderate, pragmatic reform rather than radical change. The term derives from the French modéré meaning restrained or temperate, and the adjective in other Romance languages. In political discourse, modération is associated with seeking balance, gradualism, and the rule of law, often emphasizing compromise between extremes and a preference for institutional stability over upheaval.

In the French revolutionary context, modérés referred to a faction of deputies who favored constitutional limits on royal power and gradual reforms within established institutions. They tended to support a constitutional monarchy and wary, incremental change, in contrast to more radical groups. Their influence peaked in the early revolutionary period, but diminished as politics polarized and more drastic solutions gained prominence.

Beyond France, the term has been applied to centrist or liberal-conservative currents in various European democracies during the 19th and 20th centuries. In these contexts, modérés often advocated civil liberties, property rights, and market-oriented policies coupled with social prudence and order. The precise position of moderates varied by country and era, ranging from liberal reformers within constitutional monarchies to pragmatic centrists within republican systems.

Today, modérés are typically described as centrists or pragmatists who prioritize rule of law, incremental reform, and consensus-building. The label is less a formal party designation than a descriptor for political actors who seek middle-ground solutions, balancing ideals with practical governance. See also centrism, liberal conservatism, and moderate politics.