Where the median is depends where the extremes are. Overton window I think is the fitting term here. The Overton window in the US might be shifted such that in

Where the median is depends where the extremes are. Overton window I think is the fitting term here. The Overton window in the US might be shifted such that in other countries a moderate here might be perceived to be quite right wing there. Chomsky put it well when describing this phenomenon: --- The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum—even encourage the more critical and dissident views. --- > I'm not sure why. Perhaps it means that the far right is less ideological than the far left I think it is because left opinions, even in mainstream media and social discourse do not get the immediate push-back and derision, but are treated more of like confusion or maybe immaturity. Say, if we see someone waving the Soviet flag in the streets at a protest we just sort of shrug at it instead of have a visceral reaction to it.