柯克枪击案背后的美国困局

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing frequency and diversity of political violence in the United States, highlighting a significant shift in the political landscape characterized by heightened polarization and a lack of consensus among different political factions [3][4][10]. Political Violence Trends - Political violence incidents in the U.S. are on the rise, with over 250 threats and harassment events tracked against local officials in the first half of 2025, marking a 9% increase from the same period in 2024 [7]. - The current environment is described as a "violent populism era," with both right and left-wing individuals being targeted, indicating that political violence is not limited to a specific ideology or location [8][9]. Societal Division and Polarization - The article notes a significant decline in the proportion of self-identified moderates in the U.S., dropping from an average of 43% in 1992 to 34% in 2024, the lowest recorded level [11]. - A Pew Research Center poll indicates that 80% of American adults believe there is not only a policy divide but also a lack of consensus on basic facts between Republican and Democratic supporters [11]. Factors Contributing to Political Violence - The article identifies several conditions that facilitate political violence, including a rapid regression of democratic systems, societal divisions based on race or religion, and the easy availability of firearms [12][13]. - The political climate is described as one of "zero-sum" thinking, where opposing factions view each other as existential threats, leading to a decrease in willingness to compromise [11][12]. Responses to Political Violence - Following the assassination of a political figure, leaders from both major parties condemned the violence, yet their responses reflected deep partisan divides, with accusations directed at opposing factions [15][16]. - Experts suggest that addressing the root causes of political violence requires bipartisan condemnation of violence and accountability for inflammatory rhetoric from political leaders and media figures [16].