People who feel their group is shut out of society are more likely to endorse political violence, according to a survey of 5,501 adults in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. The study, published in Psychology of Violence, found that two forms of political alienation shaped this link in opposite directions.
The research, led by Tahir Abbas of Aston University, distinguished between institutional alienation—distrust of democratic institutions—and efficacy alienation, or feeling powerless to influence political outcomes. Neither form was independently associated with support for violence once perceived exclusion was taken into account. Instead, alienation affected how strongly exclusion and support for violence were connected.
Among people who felt highly powerless, perceived exclusion had a stronger association with endorsing violence. Among those with greater distrust of political institutions, the association was weaker, although it remained present. The pattern appeared across all four countries, but the moderating effect of alienation was clearest in the Netherlands.
The online survey was conducted between 2021 and 2023. It measured exclusion through questions about experiences such as feeling humiliated because of one’s background or believing one’s religion is treated unfairly. Support for violence was assessed with a single statement: “Sometimes people need to use violence to achieve their goals.” About 8.5% of participants strongly agreed.
The researchers also identified two broad groups. Some 59% reported relatively low exclusion and alienation; 0.5% of this group strongly endorsed violence. The other 41% reported higher levels of exclusion and alienation, and about 20% of them strongly endorsed violence. Most people in that group did not.
The findings show an association, not cause and effect. The survey measured attitudes rather than violent behavior, and its authors note that most people who express support for violence do not act on it. The study also relied on self-reported answers, and its results may not apply beyond established democracies.
Abbas said the findings suggest that efforts to help people feel they can influence outcomes may weaken the connection between grievances and support for violence, but that possibility needs direct testing. He also cautioned that security measures that stigmatize entire communities could intensify feelings of exclusion.
Sources: PsyPost.