Shellenberger argues leftist ideology resists self-criticism and apology

Michael Shellenberger released an article titled “Progressives Will Be Horrified When They Wake Up To What They’ve Done,” in which he accuses the left of refusing to acknowledge past policies he describes as abusive, including child sterilization and harsh treatment of addicts. He asserts that conservatives mistakenly believe rational argument can convert staunch progressives, but he claims the ideology is immune to remorse.

Shellenberger points to historical regimes such as the Soviet Union to argue that leftist movements routinely erase or rationalize their excesses. He criticizes figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for downplaying past mistakes and using media control to rewrite history. The author concludes that only when leftist policies directly harm their own supporters might any change occur, otherwise the ideology should be marginalized.