Left wing violence vs right wing violence since 2000

Checked on September 22, 2025
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1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that right-wing violence has been more frequent and deadly than left-wing violence since 2000 [1] [2] [3]. According to one source, right-wing extremist violence accounts for approximately 75% to 80% of US domestic terrorism deaths since 2001 [1] [3]. Another source reports that right-wing terrorists have murdered 391 people, or about 11% of the total, while left-wing terrorists have murdered 65 people, or about 2% of the total [4]. However, it is also noted that assessing political violence in America is inherently subjective and that the available studies and datasets may be biased [5]. Additionally, one source suggests that radical acts perpetrated by individuals associated with left-wing causes are less likely to be violent [6].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key aspect missing from the original statement is the definition of right-wing and left-wing violence, which can be subjective and influenced by individual perspectives [5]. Another important context is the global perspective on political violence, with one source noting that Islamist extremists are more violent globally [6]. Furthermore, the differences between left-wing and right-wing extremist groups in the United States are highlighted, with right-wing groups having greater potential for mounting a significant effort due to their espousal of traditional American values [7]. The threat of terrorism in the United States is also expected to increase due to factors such as the presidential election and the response to the Covid-19 crisis [2].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement lacks context and definition of right-wing and left-wing violence, which can lead to misinformation and bias [5]. The statement also does not account for the subjective nature of assessing political violence in America, which can result in biased interpretations [5]. Additionally, the statement does not provide a global perspective on political violence, which can lead to an incomplete understanding of the issue [6]. The sources suggest that right-wing extremist violence is more frequent and deadly, but it is essential to consider the potential biases in the available studies and datasets [1] [3] [4]. Overall, the original statement benefits those who seek to emphasize the threat of right-wing violence, while downplaying the complexity and subjectivity of assessing political violence in America [4] [1] [3].

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