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- Mar 25, 2025
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In today's political climate, ideological extremes—whether left or right—often lose sight of the values they claim to uphold. Yet, there is a growing irony on the far left (often described as the "hard liberal" or radical progressive wing) that is particularly striking: in its quest for moral purity, enforced equality, and social control, the far left increasingly exhibits traits far more aligned with totalitarian regimes of the 20th century—namely Fascism, Nazism, and Communism—than with any genuine liberal or democratic tradition.
At first glance, this may seem like a provocative or even outrageous claim. After all, the far left often positions itself as anti-fascist, anti-authoritarian, and pro-freedom. But history offers a useful corrective. Fascism and Nazism were not just right-wing nationalist movements—they were collectivist, authoritarian, and deeply obsessed with controlling thought, speech, and social order. Similarly, communism, which emerges from the same intellectual soil as far-left ideology, promised equality and justice but delivered gulags, purges, and the suppression of individual liberty on a horrifying scale.
So, what happens when ideological purity becomes more important than human freedom? When dissent is not just discouraged but actively punished? When "wrongthink" leads to public shaming, job loss, or even violence? These are not the tools of a liberal democracy—they are the hallmarks of authoritarianism.
In this sense, the modern far left increasingly adopts methods and mindsets that echo the very systems it claims to oppose. Cancel culture is a soft form of purging. Deplatforming critics mirrors book-burning. The redefining of language and reality to suit ideology recalls Orwellian newspeak. The demonization of opposing views as "hate speech" without genuine debate echoes the Nazi strategy of eliminating dissent by labeling it dangerous.
Moreover, the far left's affinity with Marxist thought—a failed and brutal ideology—shows a troubling lack of historical awareness. Communism is not a noble ideal that was simply "never tried properly." It was tried in Russia, in China, in Cambodia, in Cuba—and the result was always the same: centralized power, mass poverty, and widespread suffering. Yet, many on the radical left still romanticize these systems, or worse, believe they could do it better this time.
There is a psychological twist to this as well. When people see themselves as inherently righteous, they become blind to their own potential for cruelty. Those who believe they are fighting for justice can become some of the most zealous, unforgiving, and destructive actors in society—especially when they convince themselves that their ends justify any means. This is the tragic legacy of every radical movement that began with ideals and ended in bloodshed.
This is not to suggest that the far right is innocent—authoritarianism exists on both ends of the spectrum. But the modern Western far right, for all its flaws, is fragmented, often marginalized, and lacks the institutional and cultural power that the far left currently wields in academia, media, and tech. The cultural reach and influence of radical leftist ideology make its excesses more dangerous—not because of intention, but because of impact.
Ultimately, freedom is not maintained by purging dissent or enforcing dogma. It is protected by open debate, mutual respect, and the humility to accept that no one has a monopoly on truth. The danger today is not that the far left thinks it's evil—it's that it thinks it's good, and acts with all the force and conviction of past ideologues who thought the same.
At first glance, this may seem like a provocative or even outrageous claim. After all, the far left often positions itself as anti-fascist, anti-authoritarian, and pro-freedom. But history offers a useful corrective. Fascism and Nazism were not just right-wing nationalist movements—they were collectivist, authoritarian, and deeply obsessed with controlling thought, speech, and social order. Similarly, communism, which emerges from the same intellectual soil as far-left ideology, promised equality and justice but delivered gulags, purges, and the suppression of individual liberty on a horrifying scale.
So, what happens when ideological purity becomes more important than human freedom? When dissent is not just discouraged but actively punished? When "wrongthink" leads to public shaming, job loss, or even violence? These are not the tools of a liberal democracy—they are the hallmarks of authoritarianism.
In this sense, the modern far left increasingly adopts methods and mindsets that echo the very systems it claims to oppose. Cancel culture is a soft form of purging. Deplatforming critics mirrors book-burning. The redefining of language and reality to suit ideology recalls Orwellian newspeak. The demonization of opposing views as "hate speech" without genuine debate echoes the Nazi strategy of eliminating dissent by labeling it dangerous.
Moreover, the far left's affinity with Marxist thought—a failed and brutal ideology—shows a troubling lack of historical awareness. Communism is not a noble ideal that was simply "never tried properly." It was tried in Russia, in China, in Cambodia, in Cuba—and the result was always the same: centralized power, mass poverty, and widespread suffering. Yet, many on the radical left still romanticize these systems, or worse, believe they could do it better this time.
There is a psychological twist to this as well. When people see themselves as inherently righteous, they become blind to their own potential for cruelty. Those who believe they are fighting for justice can become some of the most zealous, unforgiving, and destructive actors in society—especially when they convince themselves that their ends justify any means. This is the tragic legacy of every radical movement that began with ideals and ended in bloodshed.
This is not to suggest that the far right is innocent—authoritarianism exists on both ends of the spectrum. But the modern Western far right, for all its flaws, is fragmented, often marginalized, and lacks the institutional and cultural power that the far left currently wields in academia, media, and tech. The cultural reach and influence of radical leftist ideology make its excesses more dangerous—not because of intention, but because of impact.
Ultimately, freedom is not maintained by purging dissent or enforcing dogma. It is protected by open debate, mutual respect, and the humility to accept that no one has a monopoly on truth. The danger today is not that the far left thinks it's evil—it's that it thinks it's good, and acts with all the force and conviction of past ideologues who thought the same.