Libertarian friends of mine used to insist that the political spectrum is not a straight line from Left to Right, as it is often described, but a circle–and at the top of that circle, where Left and Right meet, the argument isn’t about liberty, it’s about whose agenda a powerful government should impose on the rest of us.
I’ve always agreed with that description, which is supported by another friend’s observation: there are a lot of people who simply cannot tolerate ambiguity. These are people desperate for bright lines and moral certainty, for whom inhabiting or even recognizing the existence of “gray areas” is intolerable. (That need for certainty helps to explain the appeal of fundamentalist religions.)
A recent article from Lincoln Square (a publication I increasingly consult) focused in on those observations. It was titled “The Extremes Aren’t Opposites. They’re Twins,” and it provided additional insight into the world-views of the ideologues at the top of that libertarian circle.
As the author, Trygve Olson, pointed out, assertions that the far Left and far Right are different are simply false–and if we want to save democracy, we need to understand their shared psychology. Olson cited a study from Eastern Europe — van Prooijen & Krouwel, 2019 — that identified the four core psychological traits fueling extremism, and confirmed that they are present in both extremes of the political spectrum.
People with these mindsets are “true believers”–and they are receptive to autocracies that promise to use government to impose their beliefs on others.
The four traits are: psychological distress (the craving for certainty); cognitive simplicity (a black and white worldview); overconfidence (belief in the superiority of their understanding); and intolerance (rejection of pluralism). The combination leaves no room for nuance, no ability to occupy–or even see–gray areas. As the essay puts it, “Every issue becomes a purity test. Every disagreement becomes a betrayal. Every opponent becomes the enemy. That’s why conspiracy theories spread so easily. They offer simple stories for a complicated world. They reduce every problem to good guys and bad guys.”
Extremists believe they are the righteous, and that people who disagree with them are morally broken. “They confuse clarity with correctness. They reject disagreement not because it’s wrong, but because it’s threatening.” That reaction–as the author correctly notes–is a characteristic of a cult, not of democratic polities. Its a characteristic that leads extremists to reject the very notion of a marketplace of ideas. What they want is an echo chamber. (While the article didn’t reference it, an echo chamber is what the Right has constructed via the extensive network of right-wing media outlets all of which obediently echo MAGA’s approved “talking points.”)
We are seeing the consequences of that extremist worldview all around us.
Once politics becomes personal identity, disagreement becomes existential. And when that happens, dissent isn’t just unwelcome — it’s dangerous.
That’s how you get threats to school board members. That’s how you justify political violence. That’s how democracies die — not with a bang, but with a crowd cheering its collapse.
It’s important that the rest of us recognize where the threat comes from. As the author says, that recognition isn’t just an academic exercise.
If we’re serious about fighting authoritarianism — not just Trumpism, but the broader global wave of illiberalism — we need to stop pretending the threat only comes from one side. It comes from anyone who plays the zero-sum game.
Democracy is win-win. Autocracy is zero-sum. And the people who reject democratic norms — whether they call themselves left or right — are playing the same game.
That means our job, as defenders of democracy, is to build a coalition of the reasonable. That includes liberals, conservatives, independents — anyone who believes in truth, pluralism, and peaceful transitions of power.
Because in the end, it’s not about left vs. right.
It’s about democracy vs. extremism.
When people fear ambiguity, they fear “the Other”–and anyone who disagrees with their particular world-view is “Other.” Think about that as we protest autocracy and demand a return to American constitutional liberties on this second “No Kings Day.”
Excellent explanation. One must use essays like this for self-examination every day. Sadly, though, so many who fall into the symptomatic barrel of extremism lack the intellect to extricate themselves. They are simply without the knowledge, experiences and cognitive ability – to say nothing of the lack of critical thinking skills – to become even somewhat balanced.
The frothing insanity of Stephen Miller is the perfect example of extremism gone viral. Speaking of viral extremism: I read yesterday that Trump commuted the sentence of the egregious cheat and criminal, George Santo. I guess Trump needs more of his ilk to pay homage to his illegality as a human.
The scary part of this is the number of people that recognize and know this extreme element exist, but are willing to manipulate them because they are easily manipulated.
The difference now is that the far left is a very small threat, and the far right is a very large threat.
Santos will be a useful idiot for the Trump administration. As for the article, I’d like to see the definitions of “extremism,” especially on the “left.” I think the right-wing extremism is reasonably apparent, although MAGA has folks to the right of them. I believe the groypers would fit, but there are also the militias across the country. Then there are the religious extremists who seem to conflict with the militaristic wing. I don’t think Fox News is part of the extremism on the right. You’d have to get on YouTube and podcasting to hear the extremists.
So, who are the extremists on the left or in the circle?
There are atheists, but they are far from extremists. The anti-Israel crowd? Socialists? BLM? LGBTQ+?
If you listen to MAGA, the Democrats are extremists, which is a joke. The language from the POTUS, VP, and on down is getting more extreme against the Democratic Party. Is that by design? I only hear a few Democrats calling out the MAGA crowd, because if they do, they become targets.
This swath of people in the “middle” believe in democracy and free market capitalism, which never really existed. Here is the key, which was mentioned in Sheila’s post: they “identify” with one side of the political spectrum that is designed to put you on this spectrum. The so-called spectrum is an illusion, just like the EGO that “identifies” with specific characteristics.
A few of the independent journalists I follow are starting to grasp the end stages of capitalism with the breakdown of our democracy. They believe the two are inextricably linked, which they are!
Who has controlled the government? The very wealthy individuals and corporations (the donor class) own the politicians from both parties. Many invest in both parties equally. How does that influence a politician’s decision-making? Trump just admitted how the Adelsons influenced his decisions in Trump 1.0.
Until everyone can identify the problem, the solutions will be erroneous. The only ones opposing the oligarchy right now are the Socialists, and they believe Democratic Socialists are part of the problem because they want to work within the Democratic Party and capitalism.
When we hear the politicians talk about “spreading democracy” to other countries, it’s really capitalism or oligarchy. Trump couldn’t care less about the Venezuelan people or Palestinians, but he does listen to what his donors want, which is their resources. Oligarchic-controlled capitalism is extractive and hoarding. Socialism is all about sharing the resources.
“Democracy is win-win. Autocracy is zero-sum.”
We know the problem well, but we have to have a common focus on the solution. Next year’s election races will provide that, but we may not wait that long.
Demonstrate today!
I’m on my way to the local rally Have fun! Stay safe! Stay hydrated!
I suppose that the theory outlined in your blog is sound and intellectually correct in many ways, but I would counter that the situation we find ourselves in begs another question: can you really equate the current extreme elements of maga folks, who seem to have abandoned all respect for the rule of law and all it entails, with the far left, who seem to be, rather naively calling for an impossible goal of a whole list of liberal ideals. It just doesn’t appear to be a real debate, but rather the old saw of bringing a knife to an AR15 fight (or something to that effect). How does one even begin to have a conversation with one who wants to bring down democracy in this country, or at the very least, supports that which promotes that destruction? I just don’t get it, how the third of the voting electorate – which I think approximates the maga base – believes: that it is worth destroying our democracy for some form of authoritarian leadership. Sorry, not my cup of tea. See you at the NK rally today!
when those who spend big on weapons and anti liberal genra,then when the paycheck is sucked up like a vacuum while still in your pocket.what then?theres little talk about the wages of the working class. fun, buy a gun, then you cant afford the ammo. then you have no food and the kids are getting bigger. seems alot of this is overlooked by the hate mongers. to busy telling everyone how it is,in their own world view. reality is today we have a major shrinkage of on the street capital. taxes are part of it, product/corp greed is the other. every day on the media is more answers to staying in debt,over a living wage. that online banking is more like a loan scam instead of savings. when the cost of living becomes the issue, and were there is far more wealth in a few than the mega population, theres little notice when the bots tell you diffrent. were running around with our ideas to protect the family, while those who want to distroy our family are telling their kids to hate us. the idea should be to open their eye to the limited amount of capital on main street,and why the present admin is hell bent on collecting it all. the obvious idea is to control the whole by limiting the capital to the whole. theres X amount of capital in America. its shrinking on the personal wealth of everyone who works. and its going into a vast hoard to the rich,banks,markets and probably off shore scams. just a few people control this. and those people were elected 11/24. the heritage and alec and others are taking over the capital. imagine when cash is turned into plastic only and i phone accounts. when they decide to kill us off, they just turn us off..
the America prospect. H2B visas. are getting a renewed kick. now if congress agrees to bring in new ag workers via this program. the minimum wage will be cut, due, rising prices at the markets. but, the scam here. is to reduce the wages of all ag workers across the board, citizens included. the fact is the DC federal employees took a hit with a reduction is their min wage from $17+ and hour to $12+ hour back in may 2025. paying attention right? as a working class im seeing my wages being cut and inflation taking a big bite of the rest. now throw in a recession and the worker will be grasping for anything to stay,alive.its now tarriffs and scams by the rich to further the downfall of a working class that built America. the rich wants the fame for crushing the working class and making us economic slaves to them. now explain this to asswipes who preaches hate when he has to sit in the same outhouse he helped build. dontchajustlove it? ill be a bizmks NoDak movement, ill be asking the crowd,again,what news journals do you read? last time even the educated ones didnt read the news,they to, allowed others to scream into their ears and tell them how to think. this is the problem. were too lazy to defend what we believe is given right. our freedoms,democracy,and the vote.
best wishes..
This ends when the USA’s elites (economic and institutional) pass an awareness inflection point where they find anti-democratic authoritarianism less personally beneficial and more personally threatening.
The resolution will be like a Hegelian “synthesis” — likely disaffected groups from each side coalescing under a charismatic and heavily funded third-way leadership. Given the USA’s structural commitment to a 2-party system, that means the likely dissolution of MAGA and the GOP if it stands by MAGA
I agree with Gil on the comparison of the “two extremes.” MAGA is the replacement of the Koch brothers’ dark network, creating the Tea Party. The Kochs’ goal was to eliminate the government for the free market. Their ideal was that the free market solved all our problems. The problem is that the marketplace requires two savvy parties, and that’s not the case in America. For instance, the 35% who watch Fox News cannot be considered smart in any way, shape, or form. They are manipulated, which is a form of oppression.
Leftists are protesting Israel’s involvement in our government. So is part of the MAGA crowd, as you now see MTG starting to become anti-Israel; “Why are we sending billions to a country that offers free healthcare and education when the US can’t even do that?” #GreatPoint
The Left is also tired of the perpetual wars caused by the rogue CIA and our MIC. And since we control most of Europe, the same goes for the Leftists across the Atlantic.
I’ve been reading a lot of articles lately about what comes next after the #NoKings protests today. Will we begin hearing about policy statements beyond just being against Trump and MAGA’s authoritarianism?
Heading to Muncie’s No Kings peaceful protest, but will be on the lookout for the truck-driving MAGA troublemakers.
Trump is still the POTUS. 🇺🇸
Have fun throwing your tantrum today while the ever increasing majority will watch and LAUGH!!!!
gail. Your ever increasing majority is wishful thinking. At the rally I attended today in red state Indiana, there were easily ten times as many cars going by honking their support than there were showing any kind of disagreement. LOTS more thumbs up than middle fingers up. This was in a mid size rural community. And we are rapidly continuing to grow our resistance to the fascists.
NO KINGS!!!!
Gail, ask yourself why you feel threatened enough to comment about a group of people sharing solidarity? You can join us you know. We are all inclusive.
The demonstration in Indianapolis was gigantic and peaceful. I am waiting to see the official estimates of the attendance, but i can say that I personally only saw one person holding a Trump/MAGA sign. There were thousands of anti-Trump signs.
My vote for best meme was a picture of a Monarch butterfly with the caption “The only orange monarch we need!”
There were many other clever and creative memes indicating that the resistance is very broadly based. This is very promising!
Hey Gail, how does it feel to know that you, and only you, are right?
Attended a rally in Red Florididia, and was quite surprised bt]y the largeness of the crowd.
I agree completely with the analysis. It seems to echo Erich Fromm’s 1941 Escape from Freedom and Eric Hoffer’s 1951 The True Believer.
What I fear is the implied both-sides-ism. The Overton Window has long shifted. The extreme left exists, but has no power; the extreme right is in charge. If this was the 1960s, I would worry about the extreme left, but I fear that our both-sides-ism helped us miss the morphing of the GOP into the MAGA autocratic party. I don’t want to get distracted from the danger that exists.
It looks like the No King’s protests were a step forward today.
No kings … No pedophiles
Release unredacted
Epstein Files.