This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Republicans and conservatives are more likely than Democrats or liberals to justify political violence in 17 surveyed situations, according to a study published in PLOS One by Garen J. Wintemute of the University of California, Davis, and colleagues.
Political violence, defined as "the use of physical force to advance political objectives," includes targeted and terrorist violence. Researchers recognize troubling levels of support for political violence in the U.S. but do not fully understand how political affiliation may inform these beliefs. Wintemute and colleagues conducted a survey of 8,620 U.S. adults from May 13 to June 2, 2022.
The survey gathered respondents' political affiliations, ranging from Strong Republican to Strong Democrat; their general beliefs about democracy and American society; and their willingness to support or engage in political violence. In the survey, political violence (represented by the phrase "force or violence") was defined as "physical force strong enough that it could cause pain or injury to a person." Participants decided whether violence was justified in general and across 17 specific situations (e.g., "to return Donald Trump to the presidency this year"). Those who justified political violence rated their willingness to engage in it personally.
All respondents also reported the likelihood that they would someday use firearms in connection with political violence. Results indicated that higher percentages of Republicans (35.3–49.5%) than Democrats (24.7–26.7%) considered violence justified to advance at least one political objective. Republicans endorsed violence for a greater number of specific political objectives than Democrats.
Strong Republicans were more likely than strong Democrats to anticipate being armed in a future politically violent situation. However, Republicans were not more willing than Democrats to engage in political violence personally; in fact, few respondents (
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