Why do conservatives tend to be more violent compared to liberals and other left wingers?

1. Summary of the results

The original statement claims that conservatives tend to be more violent compared to liberals and other left-wingers. However, the analyses provided present a more nuanced and complex picture. Some sources suggest that right-wing extremist violence has been responsible for the overwhelming majority of fatalities from domestic terrorism since 2001, accounting for approximately 75% to 80% of U.S. domestic terrorism deaths ^[1]. Additionally, research indicates that most domestic terrorists in the U.S. are politically on the right ^[1]. On the other hand, other sources report that liberals are more likely to say violence can sometimes be justified to achieve political goals, with 16% holding this view, compared to 4% of conservatives ^[2], and that 26% of liberals under 45 years old and 12% of liberals 45 and older believe political violence can sometimes be justified ^[3]. It is also mentioned that the idea of 'killing billionaires' has become a 'meme aesthetic for political violence' especially among the far-left ^[4]. Furthermore, political violence has become more mainstream and acceptable in American discourse, particularly among ideologically extreme communities online ^[5]. The article also notes that American voters are actually less ideologically polarized than the rhetoric they consume suggests ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key missing context in the original statement is the complexity and multifaceted nature of political violence, which cannot be attributed solely to one ideology or group ^[6]. Another important aspect to consider is the role of social media in amplifying extreme voices and enabling people to speak without personal consequence ^[5]. Additionally, the erosion of trust in institutions and the increasing polarization of American society are also significant factors contributing to the rise of political violence ^[7]. It is also essential to acknowledge that people committing far-right violence are often older and more established than typical terrorists and violent criminals ^[7]. Furthermore, the false narrative of a stolen 2020 election has increased support for political violence among Republicans ^[7]. The sources also highlight the importance of considering historical context and research on political violence in the United States, which indicates that while incidents from the left are on the rise, political violence still comes overwhelmingly from the right ^[7].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading or biased, as it oversimplifies the complex issue of political violence and attributes it solely to conservatives ^[6]. This framing may benefit liberals and left-wingers by creating a narrative that shifts the blame for political violence away from their own ideology ^[2]. On the other hand, some sources suggest that right-wing extremist violence is more frequent and more deadly than left-wing violence, which may benefit conservatives by downplaying the severity of right-wing violence ^[1]. It is essential to approach this topic with a nuanced and balanced perspective, acknowledging the complexity of political violence and the need for a comprehensive understanding of its causes and consequences ^[5]. The sources also warn of the dangers of normalizing political violence, particularly among ideologically extreme communities online ^[5], and the importance of addressing the root causes of political violence, including social media, polarization, and erosion of trust in institutions ^{[5] [7]}.