Fact check: Does more violence come from the right or the left?

1. Summary of the results

The question of whether more violence comes from the right or the left is complex and multifaceted, with various analyses presenting different perspectives. According to ^[1], Americans express roughly equal levels of concern about left-wing and right-wing extremism and violence, with 33% saying violence is perpetrated mostly by the left and 29% saying it is carried out mostly by the right ^[1]. Research presented in ^[2] suggests that radical acts perpetrated by individuals associated with left-wing causes are less likely to be violent ^[2]. On the other hand, ^[3] indicates that although incidents from the left are on the rise, political violence still comes overwhelmingly from the right ^[3]. Key findings include the fact that Americans are split about whether left-wing violence or right-wing violence is a bigger problem, with liberals and conservatives having opposite views on the issue ^[4]. Additionally, sources such as ^[2] and ^[2] suggest that left-wing extremist groups are less likely to be violent, while right-wing and Islamist extremist groups have similar levels of violence in the United States ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some important context that is missing from the original statement includes the fact that the level of violence can vary depending on the region and the specific groups being compared ^[2]. For example, ^[5] reports a rise in attacks carried out by actors with far-right, white nationalist, or anti-Muslim beliefs in Western Europe and North America ^[5]. Alternative viewpoints include the idea that both left-wing and right-wing groups pose a danger to the United States, with similarities in their ideologies, goals, tactics, and involvement in violent criminal activity ^[6]. Furthermore, ^[7] notes that the contemporary political environment, defined by hyperpartisanship and misinformation, leads to conditions that are potentially prime for violence, with experts warning that the problem of political violence is coming from everywhere, not just the left or the right ^[7]. Some sources also highlight the role of technological advances in increasing the potential for violence ^[5]. Key stakeholders who may benefit from a more nuanced understanding of this issue include policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading because it implies a binary choice between left-wing and right-wing violence, when in fact the issue is more complex and multifaceted ^[1]. Bias may also be present in the way that different sources frame the issue, with some sources emphasizing the threat posed by left-wing groups and others emphasizing the threat posed by right-wing groups ^{[6] [3]}. Interest groups who may benefit from a particular framing of the issue include political parties, advocacy organizations, and media outlets ^[3]. For example, ^[3] suggests that the false narrative of a stolen 2020 election increased support for political violence, particularly among Republicans ^[3]. Overall, it is crucial to consider multiple sources and perspectives when evaluating the issue of political violence, in order to gain a more nuanced understanding of this complex and multifaceted topic ^{[1] [2] [4]}.