How Political Violence Has Shaped American Politics
Some call violence a truism of the American political system. Looking into the history behind some of these experiences is vital for understanding our political system writ large.
Note: In light of the gunshots on Sunday near Donald Trump’s golf course, I thought it would be valuable to break from our normal schedule and instead share my in-depth discussion of violence in American history. -JS.
This episode was recorded by Australian Broadcasting earlier this year, specifically after the assassination attempt of Former President Donald Trump in July.
Click the link below and listen to my discussion with Rear Vision and Annabelle Quince on how violence, and especially assassinations/attempted assassinations have a long history in America. Although recorded before the most recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, it is an especially prescient episode given our current news headlines. Give it a listen.
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/rearvision/rear-vision/104011876
Jeremi Suri holds the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a professor in the University's Department of History and the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Professor Suri is the author and editor of eleven books on politics and foreign policy, most recently: Civil War By Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy. His other books include: The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America’s Highest Office; Liberty’s Surest Guardian: American Nation-Building from the Founders to Obama; Henry Kissinger and the American Century; and Power and Protest: Global Revolution and the Rise of Détente. His writings appear in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, CNN.com, Atlantic, Newsweek, Time, Wired, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and other media. Professor Suri is a popular public lecturer and comments frequently on radio and television news. His writing and teaching have received numerous prizes, including the President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Texas and the Pro Bene Meritis Award for Contributions to the Liberal Arts. Professor Suri hosts a weekly podcast, “This is Democracy.”