EDITOR'S CORNER: How Extreme Politics Put Everyone in Danger

The world today feels increasingly split between the left and the right. Over the past decade, politics have drifted further toward the extremes, with many countries leaning heavily to either the far-left or far-right. Centrist parties that once held power have either been voted out or seen their support collapse. Only a handful of nations—Canada and Norway being modern examples—have managed to maintain a centrist or center-left course.

In this blog post, let’s take a closer look at why this shift is happening and what it means. Are extreme politics the cure for a broken system, or are they the greatest threat modern democracy has ever faced?

WHY POLITICS IS SHIFTING TO THE EXTREMES

Politics are swinging from one extreme to the other because people are frustrated. First came Covid, which locked people in their homes, fractured families, cost jobs, took lives, and drained the last reserves of sanity for many. Then came Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, sparking an energy crisis, instability, and fear across the globe. Finally, the cost-of-living crisis, dwindling jobs, and shortages of basic necessities have become the last straw.

When people are desperate, they search for any way out. So when politicians promise change, jobs, stability, and a stronger future, it’s no surprise that people cling to those words, hoping—this time—that something will finally improve. Previous governments certainly carry some of the blame, but in many countries the playing field was weak to begin with.

In Europe and America, the far-right blames immigrants, refugees, and excessive welfare spending for economic decline. Their solution is to cut—cut spending, cut immigration, cut anything labeled “woke” or tied to liberal politics. The result is policies that enrich the wealthy, demand the poor “work harder,” slash social welfare, fuel discrimination and racism, and push a populist narrative. Taxes may fall slightly in one area, only to rise elsewhere.

The far-left takes the opposite approach. They champion expanded social welfare, open borders, and welcoming refugees, funding it all through debt and higher taxes. Their politics are liberal, often proudly “woke,” and centered on diversity and inclusivity. Today, causes like Palestine and Gaza have become defining issues for the far-left, shaping their identity and rallying their support.

POLARIZATION AND USING EXTREMES AS A SOLUTION 

Political extremes often sound appealing because their messages are simple. Fix this one problem and everything else will fall into place. Everyone wins—so long as one group of people pays the price. Or, on the other hand, let’s include everyone and hope it all works out.

On the right, cutting immigration and slashing aid to poorer nations is offered as a quick fix when public spending feels too high. It’s easier to blame foreigners and make surface-level cuts than to ask everyone to share the burden. In the UK, for example, politicians have sought significant reductions in net migration, imposing stricter visa thresholds and reducing numbers of refugees.

On the left, the strategy is often to try to widen the safety net, expand welfare, protect workers, and embrace inclusion. But under more extreme left politics, more conservative or traditional communities often feel their values are ignored. They push back against what they see as “woke politics” being imposed with little regard for opposing views.

Public opinion data confirms growing polarization. In the U.S., most Americans believe the opposing party doesn’t just disagree on policy, but even on basic facts. Academic models also suggest once political identity and intolerance reach a certain tipping point, polarization becomes much harder to reverse.

Often, extreme left and right alternate power as people retaliate against the policies of the other side. In many countries, when the far-right comes to power, its failures or excesses provoke a shift toward the left, and vice versa.

IS THERE ROOM FOR THE CENTER TO SURVIVE?

The center faces an uphill battle in today’s polarized political climate. Centrist parties often struggle to offer a message that feels urgent or transformative, making it harder to compete with the clear, emotionally charged promises of the extremes. Voters who are frustrated, fearful, or desperate tend to gravitate toward parties that offer simple solutions, even if those solutions are unrealistic or divisive. In many cases, centrists are criticized for being indecisive or overly cautious, leaving them vulnerable to attacks from both the left and the right.

Yet there are signs that the center can endure—though it requires adaptability and a willingness to address the concerns driving polarization. Centrist movements that focus on practical solutions, compromise, and inclusive economic policies can appeal to those tired of constant political swings. This can offer a stability that we are currently lacking. 

By emphasizing steadiness, social cohesion, and long-term planning, the center can reclaim the trust of voters who feel alienated by extremes. Success may depend on building coalitions that bridge divides and demonstrating that balanced governance can produce tangible results without sacrificing fairness or principle.

CONCLUSION 

The rise of political extremes reflects deep frustration, fear, and uncertainty in societies around the world. Crises—from pandemics and wars to economic instability—have intensified these pressures, pushing people toward simple solutions and clear narratives. The far-left and far-right offer competing visions, each promising change but often creating new tensions and divisions in the process. As power swings between extremes, polarization deepens, making compromise and dialogue increasingly difficult.

Despite this, there remains a role for the center. While centrists face challenges in capturing attention and inspiring passion, they can provide stability, practical solutions, and inclusive policies that bridge divides. By focusing on long-term planning, fairness, and consensus-building, the center can offer a viable alternative to extremes—reminding societies that meaningful progress doesn’t always require swinging to one end of the spectrum or the other.