A new report from researchers at the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program (VPRP) reveals alarming trends in attitudes toward violence, including political violence, in the United States. The survey is the first of its kind to explore the participants’ personal willingness to engage in specific political violence scenarios.
A total of 8,620 people who are adult members of the Ipsos Knowledge Panel [link] participated. The sample was designed to represent the general adult population of the United States.
● 67.2% perceive there is “a serious threat to our democracy.”
● 50.1% agree that “in the next several years, there will be civil war in the United States.”
● 42.4% agreed that “having a strong leader for America is more important than having a democracy.”
● 41.2% agreed that “in America, native-born white people are being replaced by immigrants.”
● 18.7% agreed strongly or very strongly that violence or force is needed to “protect American democracy” when “elected leaders will not.”
● 20.5% think that political violence is at least sometimes justifiable “in general.”
Among participants who considered political violence to be at least sometimes justified to achieve a specific objective, 12.2% were willing to commit political violence “to threaten or intimidate a person,” 10.4% “to injure a person,” and 7.1% “to kill a person.”
Among all participants, nearly 1 in 5 thought it was at least somewhat likely that within the next few years, in a situation where political violence was justified, “I will be armed with a gun.” Four percent thought it at least somewhat likely that “I will shoot someone with a gun.” https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/survey-finds-alarming-trend-toward-political-violence/2022/07
“…But always— do not forget this, Winston— always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless.
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face— forever.”
O’Brien, member of the Inner Party (George Orwell, 1984)
Eideard 
A new report from researchers at the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program (VPRP) reveals alarming trends in attitudes toward violence, including political violence, in the United States. The survey is the first of its kind to explore the participants’ personal willingness to engage in specific political violence scenarios.
A total of 8,620 people who are adult members of the Ipsos Knowledge Panel [link] participated. The sample was designed to represent the general adult population of the United States.
● 67.2% perceive there is “a serious threat to our democracy.”
● 50.1% agree that “in the next several years, there will be civil war in the United States.”
● 42.4% agreed that “having a strong leader for America is more important than having a democracy.”
● 41.2% agreed that “in America, native-born white people are being replaced by immigrants.”
● 18.7% agreed strongly or very strongly that violence or force is needed to “protect American democracy” when “elected leaders will not.”
● 20.5% think that political violence is at least sometimes justifiable “in general.”
Among participants who considered political violence to be at least sometimes justified to achieve a specific objective, 12.2% were willing to commit political violence “to threaten or intimidate a person,” 10.4% “to injure a person,” and 7.1% “to kill a person.”
Among all participants, nearly 1 in 5 thought it was at least somewhat likely that within the next few years, in a situation where political violence was justified, “I will be armed with a gun.” Four percent thought it at least somewhat likely that “I will shoot someone with a gun.” https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/survey-finds-alarming-trend-toward-political-violence/2022/07
“We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” Elie Wiesel, Nobel Acceptance Speech, December 10, 1986 https://eliewieselfoundation.org/elie-wiesel/nobelprizespeech/
Does Hungary Offer a Glimpse of Our Authoritarian Future?
New Yorker staff reporter explores the American right’s admiration for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s anti-democratic, authoritarian measures. https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/politics-and-more/why-do-conservatives-love-hungarys-viktor-orban
“…But always— do not forget this, Winston— always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless.
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face— forever.”
O’Brien, member of the Inner Party (George Orwell, 1984)