Political Violence in America: A Troubling Trend

Social Justice Policy Brief #167 | By: Morgan Davidson | July 22, 2024

Featured Photo: npr.org

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Much has been made about political violence in America, with the most recent event being the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Was the attempted assassination simply due to recent campaign rhetoric, or is it indicative of a larger issue? From the Congressional Baseball Shooting, racially motivated shootings like in El Paso and Buffalo, the BLM riots, January 6th, and now with the attempted assassination of a former president, the evidence is undeniable that political tensions and violence are on the rise. This Brief covers what political violence is, why it happens, historical and recent trends, what can be done to decrease the threats, and concludes with some final thoughts. 

Instances of political violence include verbal intimidation, harassment, physical abuse, property damage, and assassinations motivated by politics. Although verbal violence is less severe than physical violence, it affects political processes and mental health, potentially leading to further violence. Non-physical violence, like the Brooks Brothers Riot, can disrupt political processes. Defining violence this way aligns with how people perceive and experience political violence.  

Analysis

When violence occurs in political contexts, it often stems from feelings of distrust, anger, being forgotten, beliefs the government does not care about me, a lack of familiarity with  political counterparts or government processes, and  viewing violence as a justifiable way to achieve  political ends. Political violence is also subject to tit-for-tat episodes and cycles of retaliation. Ending this violence is challenging  as in-group members tend to support and perpetuate violence against the out-group.  

Historically, much of the political violence in America has been driven by racial tensions, with events such as Bacon’s Rebellion, the Civil War, the Tulsa Massacre, and Jim Crow-motivated assaults highlighting this trend. These tensions persist today, evidenced by shootings in Buffalo and El Paso linked to the far-right’s embrace of replacement theory.  

Various factors in the socio-political environment influence acts of political violence, such as encouragement by political leaders, existence of political support groups, and an individual’s  motivation and capacity.  Political violence can be spawned by so-called support groups and militias. For example, groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers played prominent roles in the violent insurrection at our nation’s capital on January 6th. 

There are growing growing laws and norms that can be used to help curtail political violence, such as hate crime and gun regulation laws, but their effectiveness varies.Outside of legal options to decrease violence, people must understand each other on a personal level and understand how the government works. Returning to where people see their neighbors as neighbors, not partisans, is vital to decreasing violence. Further, fostering a better understanding of government functions and promoting non-violent ways to voice political grievances and drive change can help diminish violence. 

Instances like the attempted assassination of Donald Trump provide us as Americans with an inflection point. While polarization will almost certainly plague American democracy for the foreseeable future, there is work that can be done to mitigate the violent effects of hostility and hatred stemming from such steep polarization. If we silo citizens with partisan information, they will be operating under a limited set of facts and views. It is crucial to communicate with and understand the people in your community who may not align with your political identity. We are all Americans and have a vested interest in achieving outcomes together that better all of us.  

Engagement Resources:

• The Violence Project researches violence, including political violence, to understand its causes and develop strategies for prevention. https://www.theviolenceproject.org/ 

• CSIS analyzes and researches political violence, extremism, and related issues, including domestic and international aspects. https://www.csis.org/ 

• SPLC tracks hate groups and extremist activities in the U.S. and conducts research on political violence and its root causes. https://www.splcenter.org/ 

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