Understanding The Horseshoe Theory Of Political Ideologies In 2023

The year 2023 has become a pivotal moment for political discourse, as old theories challenge our understanding of modern ideologies. One such theory, the horseshoe theory, posits that the extreme ends of the political spectrum—fascism on the right and communism on the left—curve toward each other, suggesting that they may share more similarities than previously thought. This concept, attributed to French author Jean-Pierre Faye, has sparked renewed interest as the political landscape shifts and entrenched views are reevaluated.

In this exploration, we delve into how the horseshoe theory resonates within today's American political context. Historical references, such as totalitarian regimes in the 20th century, provide a backdrop for understanding how ideologies can morph in unexpected ways. As we analyze the current state of politics, it's crucial to consider how traditional frameworks may no longer adequately describe the complexities of the political climate.

By examining the ideological currents that define left and right in America, we can uncover the undercurrents that lead to a convergence of extremes. The blending of ideologies raises important questions about the future of American democracy and how citizens interpret freedom, governance, and the role of the state in their lives.

This is the season for columnists to offer some new idea that encapsulates the year that was. I got nothing. But 2023 was the year I finally abandoned my opposition to an old idea — the horseshoe theory of political ideologies. The term is often attributed to French author Jean-Pierre Faye‘s 1996 book “Le Siècle des ideologies” (“The Century of Ideologies”), but the concept is much older. It basically holds that the extreme right (“fascism”) and extreme left (“communism”) bend toward each other like the ends of a horseshoe.

While totalitarian regimes — Stalin’s Russia, Hitler’s Germany — have more similarities than differences, the horseshoe theory hasn’t mapped well in the American context. In the continental political tradition, right-versus-left fights were more about how to use state power, not how to limit it. Between those two sides, there was little dispute over the notion of statism.

Meanwhile, anti-statism, including an ornery passion for civil liberties — classical liberalism — has always been a core component of American exceptionalism. Indeed, left and right in U.S. politics often become less statist as they become more extreme. Wanting to abolish government agencies, privatize or deregulate state functions, has been a hallmark of the American right; it’s hard to see how becoming more libertarian makes you more “fascist.”

• The American left has an anti-statist