Several recent surveys have indicated that the United States is facing a political crisis as the growing distrust in democracy is turning some citizens towards violence. This report by Justin Lindsay, a U.S. National Correspondent for Jurist, presents a detailed analysis on the matter.
These findings, along with others, were recently discussed at the University of Pittsburgh’s summit on Preserving Democracy. Specific attention was given to veterans and their perspectives on political violence. A study by Professor Lisa Nelson revealed that the support for political violence among veterans is only about half that of the general population.
However, extremist groups still cater to veterans, viewing them as valuable sources for their cause. This is despite a finding that veteran support for such groups is significantly lower than the general population, according to a survey by RAND Corporation.
The discussion also explored what classifies as “political violence”, a topic brought to the forefront by recent international and domestic events. Despite the number of hate crimes identified by the FBI, a Reuters review only identified 213 instances of political violence since January 6th.
Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld observed at the January 6th Select Committee that political violence is increasingly gaining acceptance among both Republicans and Democrats. According to her findings, the notion of political violence being justified “these days” resonated with 20% of Republicans and 13% of Democrats.
As political violence gains acceptance, why hasn’t it manifested more often? Professor Nelson argues that political violence is most often a tool used when individuals feel unheard and dissatisfied. A University of Chicago study supports this position, emphasizing the connection between distrust in democratic institutions and a rise in support for political violence.
The rise in acceptance of political violence signifies mostly dissatisfaction with institutions on both sides of the political corridor. Various studies underscore that the United States is experiencing a true political crisis, even though those who execute violent acts are routinely arrested. Therefore, the focus must be set on restoring the citizens’ trust in democratic institutions as their tool for change.