Marketplace All-in-One 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 the U.S., highlighted by recent events. She explores its implications for democracy and the troubling normalization of aggression in political dialogue. Additionally, a listener shares the heartwarming journey of digitizing her great grandmother’s WWII diaries, showcasing the power of preserving family stories and connecting with the past. This blend of serious discussion and personal history offers a compelling look at today's societal challenges.
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Bipartisan Condemnation And Worrying Rhetoric
- Regina Bateson notes the country showed bipartisan condemnation after the shooting, which is important for norms.
- She also warns heightened rhetoric and calls for retaliation are worrying signs for democratic health.
U.S. Has Higher Baseline Political Violence
- Bateson says the U.S. has had periods of heightened political violence historically, like the 1960s.
- She highlights the U.S. is an outlier among advanced democracies with higher baseline gun violence.
Defining Political Violence Is Complex
- There is no single agreed definition of political violence and motivations are often unclear.
- Bateson argues events targeting high-profile figures have political ramifications regardless of motive.