Assassination and Political Violence: A Report of the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence

Political turmoil and violence have characterized the United States throughout its history. Levels of political violence appear to crest during periods of accelerated social change. Agrarian reform abolitionism, the Reconstruction era, the fight to organize labor, ad the periodic recrudescence of American nativism in its various forms were each accompanied by high levels of political violence. The 1960s have witnessed a level of violence and political turmoil comparable to other high points of violence in the nation?s history.

Also, specific cultural and social factors in the United States may support political violence, including assassinations. Recent years have seen a number of movements that justify violence as a legitimate tactic in seeking political ends. There has been frequent use of rhetoric vilifying institutions and individuals. Such rhetoric is frequently a precondition for physical assaults directed against politically prominent individuals. In addition, some segments of the population view our democratic government as ineffectual in meeting the needs of its people.