Extremist Violence: Do U.S. Government Actions Make it Worse?

Dr. Laura Dugan investigates how different actions by members of U.S. federal government affect terrorist activity and violent hate crimes against marginalized members of society. She draws upon rational choice theory, political threat theory, and a new framing of power-threat theory that predicts emboldened violence after the political elite are openly hostile. She concludes by discussing the implications of her findings under the Trump administration, especially since the Democrats have gained control of the House, and challenges the audience to come up with new strategies to reduce extremist violence in the current political climate.