The Myth of Far-Left Extremism: How Common-Sense Ethics Are Framed as Radical

For decades, there has been a persistent narrative in mainstream discourse labeling "far-left extremism" as a radical, fringe movement that is disconnected from reality. But when we critically examine the so-called "extreme" positions of the left, we find that many of them are, in fact, deeply rooted in common sense ethics and human values that should be universally embraced. 

The framing of these positions as radical serves to marginalize voices advocating for social justice, environmental sustainability, and economic equality—issues that any sane society should prioritize.

The Myth of Extremism
What does it mean to be extreme? 

Is advocating for the well-being of all human beings extreme? 

Is striving for a livable planet extreme? 

Is the demand for basic human dignity and rights extreme? 

When we strip away the sensationalist language, what we see is not extremism, but the application of fundamental ethical principles.

Common Sense Ethics:
Let’s start with a basic ethical principle that even children understand: fairness. We teach our children to share, to treat others with respect, and to help those in need. These are not radical ideas; they are moral foundations that transcend cultural and national boundaries. Yet, when we apply these simple values to society at large—demanding fair wages for workers, universal healthcare, or environmental protections—we are suddenly labeled "extremists." Why?

This contradiction arises because those in power benefit from maintaining inequity. Extreme wealth concentration, environmental degradation, and systemic oppression are the real extremities in our society. They have become so normalized that questioning them is what appears radical.

Concrete Examples of "Common Sense" Ethics, Applied:

Universal Healthcare
The idea that healthcare should be a human right, accessible to all, is frequently portrayed as a hallmark of far-left extremism. But what could be more ethical or more sensible? Every human being, regardless of their financial status, deserves access to medical care. In countries like the United States, where the healthcare system is treated as a profit-driven enterprise, millions are denied essential care because they cannot afford it. Compare this to nations that provide universal healthcare—they are not collapsing under the weight of this system, but thriving in ways that promote the well-being of their populations. It is not extreme to believe that no one should go bankrupt because they get sick; it's common decency.

Economic Equality
Another position often labeled as far-left is the call for economic equality, particularly the demand for a living wage, workers' rights, and the curbing of extreme wealth concentration. The idea that billionaires should not exist while millions live in poverty is dismissed as radical. But when we look at it through the lens of fairness, it is simply the recognition that no person should have more wealth than they could possibly spend in a lifetime while others struggle to meet their basic needs. The labor of the working class drives the economy and the creation of billionaires, and yet they are systematically underpaid and exploited. Ensuring that workers receive a fair wage for their labor is not extremism; it’s the bare minimum.

Environmental Sustainability
Climate action is another area where common sense is often painted as radicalism. The left (including indigenous communities around the world) has been at the forefront of advocating for policies to address the climate crisis. But again, what is extreme about wanting to preserve a habitable planet for future generations?

The fossil fuel industry has poured billions into disinformation campaigns to downplay the severity of the crisis, while the left has been calling for actions based on scientific consensus. Protecting the environment, transitioning to renewable energy, ensuring a just transition for workers in legacy industries, and reducing corporate pollution is essential to human survival. In fact, it is those who deny climate change and don't care about oil spills or corporations who pollute the air and water who are the real extremists—endangering local communities around the world for short-term profits.

Abolishing War and Imperialism
The left has long opposed war and imperialism, advocating instead for diplomacy, cooperation, and peaceful resolution of conflicts. Opponents claim these are utopian fantasies detached from the realities of the world. But war, in its essence, is the most extreme and violent act humans can commit. It results in the mass killing of civilians, destruction of infrastructure, and destabilization of entire regions, often for the benefit of a few powerful interests. What is so radical about opposing the killing of innocent people and the exploitation of other nations’ resources? If anything, supporting endless war for profit and geopolitical dominance is the epitome of extremism.

Rethinking Police Budgets and Abolishing the Prison Industrial Complex 
Calls to reallocate some portion of police funding to social services or rethink the prison system are also dismissed as extreme. But these demands stem from a simple ethical observation: our current systems of policing and punishment are not working. They disproportionately target marginalized communities, perpetuate cycles of violence, and fail to address the root causes of crime, like poverty and lack of opportunity. 

Reallocating resources to social services, education, and mental health care—rather than continuing to fund a militarized police force—is a sensible approach rooted in a desire to reduce harm and promote community well-being. 

It's about tackling root causes rather than just symptoms.

Likewise, imagining a world where we do not lock people in cages as a default response to social problems is not radical; it's a vision of a more humane and just society. 

Restorative justice provides a framework for this vision, shifting the focus from punishment to healing, accountability, and community restoration. Instead of relying on punitive systems that perpetuate harm and alienation, restorative justice seeks to address the root causes of conflict and harm through dialogue, understanding, and reparations. 

This also isn't some pie-in-the-sky ideal. Many countries in Europe have implemented these ideas and they're proven to work.

The Ethics of Restorative Justice
At its core, restorative justice is rooted in common sense ethics—compassion, accountability, and a commitment to repairing harm rather than inflicting more. It prioritizes the needs of victims, the accountability of offenders, and the health of communities, recognizing that true justice involves healing all parties impacted by harm, rather than relying on retribution or isolation. When we stop and ask: “How do we best respond to harm?” the answer is not found in prisons or punitive systems but in restorative practices that foster reconciliation and meaningful change.

This is not extremism; it is a more ethical, human-centered approach to justice, one that aligns with basic moral principles. Restorative justice asks us to move away from a model that relies on force, punishment, and exclusion, and instead consider a framework that values accountability through connection and repair.

The True Extremists
When we examine these positions—universal healthcare, economic equality, climate action, anti-imperialism, and rethinking our carceral systems—we find they are not extreme at all. They are ethical, logical, and necessary if we are to create a just and sustainable world. 

The true extremism lies in the forces that seek to block these changes: the fossil fuel companies that continue to destroy the planet for profit, the billionaires who hoard unimaginable wealth while workers struggle, the military-industrial complex that profits from war, and the political systems that uphold these injustices.

To label common-sense ethics as "far-left extremism" is to invert reality. What is truly radical is the persistence of inequality, environmental degradation, and oppression in a world that has the resources and knowledge to do better. Far-left "extremism" is simply the pursuit of a world where justice, fairness, and compassion are the norm, not luxuries.

Tim Hjersted is the director and co-founder of Films For Action, an online library for people who want to change the world. He lives in Lawrence, KS.