The Independent with Scott Atlas Victor Davis Hanson | The Left’s Love of Political Violence Is the Threat to Democracy | Ep. 58
Oct 13, 2025
Victor Davis Hanson, a historian and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins the conversation to dissect America's growing political violence and divisiveness. He argues that lenient crime policies and inflammatory media rhetoric exacerbate the situation. Hanson also explores how past electoral responses can counter radical movements and critiques the politicization of universities, noting their impact on academic integrity and student attitudes towards violence. Additionally, he reflects on the legacy of Charlie Kirk in galvanizing youth participation.
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Polarization Can Escalate To Bloodshed
- Victor Davis Hanson warns current U.S. divisions resemble a prolonged cold war that can escalate into violence if unresolved.
- He cites Rome, mid-19th-century U.S., Weimar, and Russia as precedents where prolonged polarization led to bloodshed.
Media Labeling Fuels Political Violence
- Hanson and Atlas argue media language and labeling intensify political violence by dehumanizing opponents.
- They highlight asymmetrical use of terms like "terrorist" and frequent labeling of the right as "extreme/fascist."
Deterrence Drops, Incentives Rise
- Lowered deterrence and rewards from media attention encourage political violence, Hanson says.
- He cites lenient prosecutions and cultural glorification of attackers as incentives for potential perpetrators.
