Fact check: Left vs right political violence

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided present a complex and multifaceted view of left vs right political violence. A poll of 1,567 U.S. adults shows that 33% of Americans believe most political violence comes from the left, while 29% attribute it to the right ^[1]. However, experts quoted in the same analysis say that violence is not confined to one side ^[1]. An academic study comparing real-world violent incidents finds that left-wing actors are less likely to use violence than right-wing or Islamist extremists ^[2]. Another analysis cites Cato Institute data showing that since 2020, right-wing terrorists accounted for 54% of deaths from political violence, left-wing activists 22%, and Islamist extremists 21% ^[3]. Similar findings are reported in other analyses, with right-wing violence exceeding left-wing violence ^[2]. However, a Fox News commentary presents a contrasting viewpoint, emphasizing a narrative that political violence is rising especially among left-leaning groups ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key missing context in the original statement is the definition of political violence and how it is measured. Different analyses use different metrics, such as the number of incidents, deaths, or perceived threat ^{[1] [2] [3]}. Additionally, the partisan split in perceptions of political violence is significant, with 69% of Republicans blaming the left and 60% of Democrats blaming the right ^[1]. Alternative viewpoints, such as the idea that violence often transcends traditional partisan categories ^[5], are also important to consider. The global context of political violence is another aspect that is not fully explored in the original statement, with some analyses noting that Islamist extremists are more violent than right-wing ones globally ^[2].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement "left vs right political violence" is potentially misleading, as it implies a simplistic binary opposition between two equally violent groups. However, the analyses provided suggest that right-wing violence exceeds left-wing violence ^{[2] [3]}. The Fox News commentary ^[4] benefits from a narrative that emphasizes left-wing violence, which may be misleading or biased. On the other hand, analyses that emphasize the complexity and nuance of political violence ^{[1] [5]} may be more accurate, but may also benefit from a more neutral or liberal perspective. Ultimately, the perception of political violence is shaped by partisan identities and ideologies, and a more nuanced understanding of the issue is necessary to avoid misinformation and bias ^{[1] [6]}.