Does the right wing commit more political violence than the left wing?

1. Summary of the results

The majority of the analyses provided suggest that right-wing extremism is more frequent and deadly than left-wing violence ^[1]. These sources cite data showing that approximately 75% to 80% of U.S. domestic terrorism deaths since 2001 were caused by right-wing extremist violence ^[1]. Additionally, sources highlight the rise of white supremacist accelerationism and other forms of right-wing extremism, resulting in a significant number of domestic terror incidents and deaths ^[2]. However, there are also sources that argue the left wing is responsible for the majority of political violence, citing examples of Antifa-related violence ^[3]. Other sources present a more neutral perspective, discussing the division and polarization in American society, and how both sides have contributed to the problem of political violence ^{[4] [5]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some key context missing from the original statement includes the definition of political violence and how it is measured, as different sources may have different criteria for what constitutes political violence ^[6]. Additionally, the historical context of political violence in the United States is not considered, which could provide insight into the evolution of political extremism over time. Alternative viewpoints, such as the role of Islamist extremism in political violence, are also not fully explored in the original statement ^[7]. Furthermore, the impact of social media and online platforms on the spread of extremist ideologies and the organization of violent acts is not discussed. It is also important to consider the differences in opinion on the issue along party lines and age groups, as highlighted by polling data ^[5].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be biased towards a particular political perspective, as it frames the question in a way that implies a comparison between the two wings, without considering the complexity of the issue ^[6]. The statement may also be influenced by selective presentation of data, as some sources suggest that the data available may be influenced by biases ^[6]. Furthermore, the statement may overlook the role of other factors, such as mental health, socioeconomic conditions, and access to firearms, which can contribute to political violence ^[4]. The sources that argue the left wing is responsible for the majority of political violence may benefit from a narrative that shifts attention away from right-wing extremism, while sources that highlight the threat of right-wing extremism may benefit from a narrative that emphasizes the danger of domestic terrorism ^{[3] [2]}.