I thought the first article was good in its analysis, though I take your point that the *number* of people represented in its “far right” bucket is massive compared to the number of people represented in its “far left” bucket. The authors do point out that the flat “left/right” terminology isn’t really apt, particularly for American politics, but that they’re going with it for lack of better. I don’t think we have very good terminology in political discussion. I think that’s because as soon as someone tries to form apt descriptors, someone else tries to manipulate their meaning because, well, it’s politics.

I wish that Foreign Policy article was better organized. It doesn’t flow well. Its organization seems to be spiral rather than outline. But IMO its analysis is spot-on.