Make Me Smart The rise of political violence in America
Sep 11, 2025
Regina Bateson, a political science professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, discusses the alarming rise of political violence in America following a recent assassination. She delves into the complex factors fueling this trend, the historical context, and its implications for democracy. The conversation also touches on how personal experiences with violence can shape political views. Additionally, a listener shares a touching story about digitizing her great-grandmother's WWII diaries, highlighting the importance of family heritage and memory preservation.
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U.S. Has A Higher Violence Baseline
- The U.S. is unusually violent compared with other advanced democracies, especially due to gun prevalence.
- This higher baseline of violence amplifies political conflict and risk of targeted attacks.
Political Violence Is Hard To Define
- There's no single agreed definition of political violence, and motivations are often unclear.
- Events targeting high-profile figures are politically significant regardless of proven motive.
Global Trends Meet U.S. Specific Risks
- Rising global democratic dysfunction combines with U.S.-specific factors to increase political violence.
- Greater firearm availability and existing polarization make the U.S. especially vulnerable.