>[!abstract] >Horseshoe theory is a political science hypothesis that suggests the far left and far right, rather than being at opposite ends of a straight ideological spectrum, resemble the ends of a horseshoe: they diverge from the political center but curve back toward each other in similarities of style and behavior. Proponents argue that extremes often share traits such as authoritarianism, populism, or anti-establishment sentiment, even if their stated goals differ. While the theory is criticized for oversimplification and false equivalence, it remains a popular heuristic for understanding how ideological opposites can converge in practice. >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): [[Political spectrum theory]] >- **West** (similar): [[Extremism convergence theory]] >- **East** (different): [[Linear spectrum model]] >- **South** (downstream): [[Populism]]