Did scientists just confirm the horseshoe theory of politics? Extremism fuels protest across ideological lines
People are more likely to take part in protests and other forms of collective action when the cause aligns with their political values. However, new research suggests that political extremism itself—regardless of ideology—also drives activism. A study published in Political Psychology found that individuals with extreme political beliefs, whether on the left or the right, are more likely to engage in collective action, even if the movement does not align with their ideology. The findings suggest that emotions, particularly anger, play a central role in this relationship. “Both societal and fundamental interests inspired this research. At the societal level, there is a longstanding debate about the role of political extremes in social movements. In France, this question became particularly salient during the Yellow Vest movement, with analysts attempting to categorize the movement as left-wing, right-wing, or simply extreme,” explained Gaëlle Marinthe, an associate professor at Clermont Auvergne University. “On the fundamental side, I am deeply interested in the similarities and differences between groups with ideologically opposing viewpoints. My colleagues and I wanted to examine the …
