Science Weekly Is the US on the brink of a new era of political violence?
Sep 18, 2025
Sean Westwood, an associate professor of political science at Dartmouth College and director of the Polarization Research Lab, delves into the troubling rise of political violence in the US. He discusses the implications of Charlie Kirk's assassination and reveals that while violent incidents are increasing, they often stem from uncoordinated lone actors rather than organized movements. Westwood argues that misjudging public support for such violence can exacerbate polarization, emphasizing the importance of nuanced understanding in these turbulent times.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Data Over Anecdote
- Sean Westwood continuously collects data to track public support for political violence and establish baselines.
- He says accurate numbers counter exaggerated claims by politicians and help the public understand real trends.
Define Political Violence Narrowly
- Westwood favors a narrow definition: political violence motivated solely by partisanship.
- This minimalist framing ties support measurements directly to partisan-motivated murder rather than broad political harms.
Social Media Distorts Perceived Threats
- Social media amplifies a small, vocal minority and creates a false impression of mass support for violence.
- Westwood reports only about 3% of Americans support partisan-motivated political murder, while people vastly overestimate the other's support.