In an era characterized by intense political polarization, it would seem bizarre to equate the far right and the far left. After all, political ideologies are often imagined as a straight line spanning from communism to fascism with a clear demarcation between left and right. However, an alternate political perspective, known as the horseshoe theory, challenges the idea of a linear left-right continuum—instead positing that the diagram of political ideology resembles a horseshoe where the extreme ends of the far left and far right parallel one another.
Generally accredited to French philosopher Jean-Pierre Faye in his 2002 book The Century of Ideologies, the horseshoe theory has historically been favored by centrists who seek to concurrently explain the danger of far-right and far-left ideologies. It has often been used to assert an equivalence between the draconian regimes of extremists on either side. Most prominently, political theorists have used the horseshoe theory to describe the likeness between the totalitarian rules of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Despite their divergent ideological foundations—Nazism rooted in extreme nationalism and Aryan racial superiority, and Soviet communism embracing egalitarianism and class struggle—the regimes exhibited striking similarities in their methods of governance. Both Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Soviet Union were characterized by the ruthless suppression of dissent, the establishment of an extensive state surveillance apparatus, and the creation of cults of personality around their leaders.
But horseshoe theory is not just relevant in the context of 20th-century European dictatorships; the modern American political landscape is marked not just by profound polarization but also by surprising similarities between some left-wing and right-wing beliefs. The theory provides a foundation that can help us unpack the complexities of coalition-building across party lines and the limitations of viewing American politics as a binary, left-right competition.
Take the war in Ukraine, for example. Despite widespread condemnation of Russia’s actions, significant segments of both the American far right and far left have either defended or hesitated to oppose Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime, sometimes urging against US intervention in Ukraine’s defense efforts. On the far right, prominent figures like Tucker Carlson have echoed pro-Kremlin sentiments, questioning Ukraine’s sovereignty and downplaying Russia’s actions. Voices on the far left such as Noam Chomsky have likewise opposed arming Ukraine, framing US intervention as imperialistic and arguing that providing arms to Ukraine merely exacerbates tensions with Russia. These isolationist perspectives have facilitated an unexpected coalition across ideological lines—a convergence that challenges conventional notions of political polarization, reflecting a shared distrust of mainstream foreign policy agendas.
Another intriguing manifestation of the horseshoe theory is the phenomenon known as the “crunchy”-to-alt-right pipeline—the transition from taking part in progressive or alternative subcultures, often associated with health-conscious living and environmentalism, to adopting far-right ideologies. Usually proliferating through online platforms such as YouTube, innovatively sustainable behavior, such as canning food and creating homemade cleaning supplies, is seemingly harmless. However, when practices like this are exploited to promote traditional values, dubbed “trad,” they can form part of a broader white-power ideology and quickly prime viewers for exposure to radical right-wing content. For example, certain aspects of “trad” living, such as the revival of traditional gender roles within the household, have been co-opted as symbols by far-right movements. The romanticization of domestic tasks like cooking and cleaning as exclusively feminine pursuits can be exploited to promote traditional gender norms and white, patriarchal households.
The wellness community’s rejection of mainstream authority can also encourage the proliferation of conspiracy theories often espoused by the right. A 2021 Fordham University survey of 3,441 American social media users revealed that many participants believed in conspiracy theories, regardless of political affiliation. Despite the ideological differences between the far left and the far right, individuals on both sides find common ground in their skepticism toward established authority, resulting in heightened suspicion about government involvement in events like 9/11 or skepticism about vaccines. Individuals can traverse the political spectrum from seemingly opposite starting points, ultimately converging toward similar, extremist beliefs.As trust in federal institutions continues to decline among Americans, both ends of the political spectrum exhibit a growing anti-state bend. While far-left and far-right ideologies in America might be well-represented by the horseshoe theory, the framework fails to acknowledge the unique motivations behind the anti-establishment sentiments of each group. Moreover, pointing out the overlap in far-right and far-left stances does not address the arguably more important question: why far-left and far-right ideologies diverge to the extent that they do.