Fact check: How do right-wing extremist groups compare to left-wing groups in terms of violence?

1. Summary of the results

The comparison of violence between right-wing and left-wing extremist groups yields mixed results. According to ^[1], left-wing extremist groups are less likely to be violent, while right-wing and Islamist extremists are more likely to engage in violent acts ^[1]. Similarly, ^[1] suggests that radical acts perpetrated by individuals associated with left-wing causes are less likely to be violent, while Islamist extremists are more likely to engage in more violent acts on a global level ^[1]. In contrast, ^[2] and ^[2] cite data from the Cato Institute, indicating that right-wing terrorists account for 54% of the 81 people killed as a result of political violence since 2020, compared to 22% killed by left-wing activists ^[2]. Additionally, ^[3] provides a comparative analysis of violent left- and right-wing extremist groups in the United States, highlighting their similarities and differences in ideologies, goals, tactics, and involvement in violent criminal activity ^[3]. Overall, the majority of the sources suggest that right-wing extremist groups are more likely to engage in violent acts.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some sources, such as ^[4], ^[5], and ^[6], do not provide a direct comparison between right-wing and left-wing extremist groups in terms of violence ^{[4] [5] [6]}. Furthermore, ^[7] presents a survey where Americans express roughly equal levels of concern about left-wing and right-wing extremism and violence, but a plurality of respondents believed that most political violence is perpetrated by people on the left ^[7]. This highlights the importance of considering public perception and potential biases when evaluating the comparison of violence between right-wing and left-wing extremist groups. Moreover, the sources do not provide a clear definition of what constitutes "violence" or "extremist groups," which could lead to inconsistencies in the comparison ^{[1] [2] [3] [7]}. A more nuanced understanding of these terms is necessary to accurately assess the comparison.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading as it implies a direct comparison between right-wing and left-wing extremist groups in terms of violence, without considering the complexities and nuances of the issue ^{[1] [2] [3] [7]}. Additionally, some sources, such as ^[7], suggest that public perception may be influenced by biases, which could impact the accuracy of the comparison ^[7]. Right-wing extremist groups may benefit from downplaying their role in violent acts, while left-wing extremist groups may benefit from emphasizing the violence perpetrated by right-wing groups. Furthermore, Islamist extremist groups are often mentioned as a separate entity, which could lead to a lack of consideration of their role in the comparison ^[1]. A more balanced and nuanced approach is necessary to accurately assess the comparison and avoid potential misinformation or bias ^{[1] [2] [3] [7]}.