Is left wing radicalism more violent that right wing?
This fact-check may be outdated. Consider refreshing it to get the most current information.
Was this fact-check helpful?
1. Summary of the results
The analyses provided overwhelmingly suggest that right-wing radicalism is more violent than left-wing radicalism [1] [2]. Data shows that right-wing extremist violence accounts for the vast majority of fatalities from domestic terrorism [1]. Additionally, studies have found that radical acts perpetrated by individuals associated with left-wing causes are less likely to be violent [2]. Survey results also indicate that Americans are more likely to say right-wing violence is a bigger problem than left-wing violence [3]. The killing of Charlie Kirk is not representative of broader trends in political violence [4], and experts argue that right-wing ideologies have fueled more than 70% of all extremist attacks and domestic terrorism plots in the United States since 2002 [5].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
A key missing context in the original statement is the definition of violence and radicalism. The analyses provided do not clearly define these terms, which could lead to confusion and misinterpretation [1] [2]. Alternative viewpoints, such as the idea that Islamist extremism is a significant concern, are also mentioned in some analyses [2]. Furthermore, the division of opinions along party lines is also an important context to consider, as liberals and conservatives have different views on the issue [3]. The lack of data on left-wing violence is also a missing context, as some analyses suggest that the data on left-wing violence is limited or incomplete [4].
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original statement may be biased towards portraying left-wing radicalism as more violent, which is not supported by the majority of the analyses [1] [2]. This bias could be driven by political motivations or agendas, such as the Trump administration's plan to target left-wing groups [5]. The statement may also be misinformed due to the lack of data on left-wing violence or the misinterpretation of available data [4]. Right-wing groups and individuals may benefit from this framing, as it shifts the focus away from their own violent activities and onto left-wing radicalism [5]. On the other hand, left-wing groups and individuals may be negatively impacted by this framing, as it could lead to increased scrutiny and targeting by law enforcement and government agencies [5].