Bonus - Political Violence w/ Rachel Kleinfeld (Preview)
Dec 15, 2024
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Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, dives into the pressing issue of political violence. She discusses the surge of violence in the U.S. since 2016 and identifies 'violence entrepreneurs' as key players in this trend. Kleinfeld highlights the troubling rise in online threats, particularly against election officials, especially older women. The conversation also touches on the desensitization to these threats and their impact on public service and voting behavior. A vital discourse on safeguarding democracy!
Political violence in the U.S. has risen significantly since 2016, primarily through threats that discourage public service participation.
The digital landscape complicates the perception of threats, often escalating online intimidation into serious real-world consequences, especially for women.
Deep dives
The Rise of Political Violence
Political violence in the United States has seen a significant uptick since 2016, marked by an increase in threats rather than physical violence. Key metrics indicate that threats against election officials and Congress have risen dramatically, with reports showing threats against judges more than doubling during the same period. This heightened climate of intimidation creates a chilling effect on public service, leading many officials, particularly those in local government roles, to reconsider their participation in civic duties. The pervasive fear captured in these threats serves to discourage individuals from serving in roles they once viewed as community-focused, highlighting a troubling trend in the erosion of democratic engagement.
The Nature of Threats and Their Impact
The podcast discusses how threats in today's context are often less about immediate physical violence and more about creating an atmosphere of fear, particularly through online interactions. While many threats sent via email or social media may seem easier to dismiss, they can escalate and include serious implications, particularly when they target vulnerable individuals, such as children of public officials. Data indicates that while men may underestimate the impact of such threats, women in public service often feel more significantly affected, leading to a reluctance to continue in these positions. The nuance in evaluating threats highlights the complexities of navigating a digital age where threats can blur the lines between online expression and real-world violence.
Danny and Derek speak with Rachel Kleinfeld, senior fellow in the Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, about her recent article co-authored with Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, "How to Prevent Political Violence". They explore different types of political violence, the connection between online threats and real life action, the rise of political violence in the US since 2015, "violence entrepreneurs", polarization, the role of ideology, and more.