The Opening of the American Mind: Professor Robert Pape on Political Violence and Radicalization

A'ndre and Ryan speak with University of Chicago Professor Robert Pape on political violence and radicalization, in the first episode of a new special series, The Opening of the American Mind, where The Burn Bag will interview leading scholars and thinkers on the the deep-rooted trends underlying contemporary foreign policy and national security issues, in an accessible, intellectual conversation. Professor Pape discusses radicalization in the context of foreign terror groups, drawing on pioneering work that has centered around suicide terrorism. Professor Pape disputes the idea that religion is the prime motivator for suicide terrorism -- rather, these roots are in nationalism and a response to foreign 'occupation'. Professor Pape, who recently published significant findings with UChicago's CPOST on 'who' the January 6th insurrectionists are, discusses why many of those who participated in the Capitol Riots came from Biden counties, and why their motivation may be rooted in the 'great replacement' theory.

Professor Pape's recent article in The Conversation can be found here.