Interview with Professor Robert Pape: The Rise of Political Violence in America

CBS News' Major Garrett explores the troubling trends of increasing political violence across the United States with Robert Pape, a University of Chicago professor and an expert in security and threats.

Professor Pape describes the current situation as a critical point in what he terms the 'violent populism' era. This phase is marked by escalating political aggression from both political parties. Reflecting on events spanning over two decades, he highlights attempts on political figures from both sides, including Nancy Pelosi and Brett Kavanaugh, culminating in more recent high-profile assassinations. The surge in violent incidents is matched by a growing acceptance of political violence among citizens, as surveys from the University of Chicago illustrate.

Garrett delves deeper into the correlation between political tensions and citizens' willingness to endorse violence as a means to an end. Specifically, the surveys reveal that a significant proportion of Democrats and Republicans justify the use of force for political objectives, such as removing Donald Trump from office or deploying military force against opposing protesters.

Pape underscores that the internet, while intensifying these sentiments, is not the primary instigator. The root, he argues, is more fundamental social and demographic shifts. The United States is transitioning from a predominantly white-majority to a minority-majority democracy, a shift that fuels political extremism.

This demographic evolution has catalyzed opposing forces within the political landscape: on one side, those wishing to halt or reverse these changes, and on the other, those advocating for continued progress. The digital realm amplifies this tension, but the core issue remains societal changes.

Garrett questions whether this description aligns with the internet's role as an amplifier rather than a causative factor. Pape confirms, mentioning how deplatforming online provocateurs had negligible effects, indicating deeper societal issues are at play.

The conversation shifts to the resilience of American democracy amid these rising tensions. While historically marked by reconciliation after discord, Pape suggests that current times demand proactive leadership to mitigate violence. He calls for bipartisan cooperation and public denouncement of violence by influential leaders.

Pape emphasizes that although the trajectory seems daunting, it's not inevitable. Leadership and responsible rhetoric can alter this course toward political violence. Joint public condemnations by high-profile leaders from opposing parties could illustrate commitment to peaceful discourse.

As the discussion concludes, Major Garrett highlights the importance of leadership in setting a model for political and social behavior. With gratitude for Pape's insights, the segment wraps up.

Interview Summary: Face the Nation

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