The disturbing responses from some on the left to the murder of Charlie Kirk illustrate the dangers of left-wing authoritarianism (LWA). While right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) has long been recognised for its emphasis on hierarchy, obedience, and exclusion, LWA reflects a different content: moral absolutism, intolerance for dissent, and a drive for ideological purity. The lack of compassion and empathy is shocking.

Both RWA and LWA undermine cooperation by framing politics as a zero-sum struggle between “us” and “them.” What differs is the content of the rigidity: RWA enforces tradition, nationalism, and conformity, while LWA enforces moral purity and punishes deviation, even when doing so damages shared goals.

This drive for purity has repeatedly contributed to organisational fragility on the left. Recent examples include the Greens’ public criticism of Australia’s new climate targets—despite the targets marking significant progress—and the expulsion of Drew Hutton for posts made in 2022. These actions illustrate how movements (especially on the left) can become inwardly punitive rather than outwardly strategic and impactful. Rutger Bregman in “Moral Ambition” identifies  the illusion of purity as one of the 5 myths about how social change works.

This ideological purity is not only  a significant impediment  to the coalition building necessary for substantive and impactful action on climate but also one of the sources of  the populist reaction and ascendency of  net zero and ESG resistance.