What Drives Political Violence in America

In this urgent episode of The Daily, host Natalie Kittroff speaks with University of Chicago professor Robert Pape, a leading expert on political violence, about the alarming rise of violent populism in the United States. Pape argues that we are in a new era where tens of millions of Americans—across the political spectrum—now see political violence as acceptable, marking a dangerous shift from past periods of unrest. Drawing on extensive survey data and historical parallels to the 1920s and 1960s, he identifies two core drivers: the country’s transition from a white majority to a white minority democracy and the massive concentration of wealth in the top 1%. These structural changes have fueled existential fears on both sides, leading to a bipartisan surge in support for violence. Pape emphasizes that the perpetrators are no longer just marginalized individuals but include educated, middle- and upper-middle-class people who feel their future is at stake. He warns that political rhetoric—both from leaders like Trump and Biden and from online communities—acts as a catalyst, amplifying existing tensions. While social media and online glorification of violence are accelerants, Pape stresses they are not the root cause. The episode concludes with a call to action: the 75% of Americans who oppose political violence must use their collective voice by contacting elected officials and demanding bipartisan condemnation of violence, as this is the only immediate lever available before the pivotal midterm elections.