Mounting Political Violence in America and What This Means for Asia, Europe, and the World

Virtual

On January 9, Professor Robert Pape, Director of the Political Science Department at the University of Chicago, delivered a thought-provoking lecture on Zoom. Hosted jointly by the university’s three Asia-Pacific centers, including UChicago center in Beijing, the lecture shed light on the major factors driving today’s era of “violent populism” in America, how it compares to past eras of political violence in the U.S., and what it portends for instability in geopolitical contests across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

In his lecture, Professor Pape recapped a series of recent violent incidents in the U.S. and explained the reasons behind them. He also identified the rise of “violent populism” as a key characteristic of this era. Pape stressed that demographic changes, particularly the shift toward a multiracial democracy, are the key drivers exacerbating divisions between political factions. He further argued that narratives like “Systemic Racism” and “Great Replacement” have penetrated mainstream society, and both the left wing and right wing have contributed to this spiral.

The event was moderated by Dr. Zening Ge, Executive Director of the University of Chicago Center in Beijing. During the lecture, Dr. Ge posed questions collected from the audience to Pape and engaged in a friendly and meaningful dialogue with him. This insightful lecture attracted an audience of over 200. By exploring these crucial issues, Professor Pape offered the audience a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by contemporary democracies and shed light on the profound implications of political violence in both the United States and worldwide. The event concluded after the Q&A session, leaving the audience with a lasting impression and sparking deep reflections on the complexities of modern political landscapes.