Our Own Worst Enemies: America and the Age of Violent Populism

The nation’s leading expert on political violence diagnoses the gravest threat to American democracy—and how to overcome it

“One of the most prominent voices warning about the dangerous climate in the country.” —Vanity Fair

The January 6th riot, the attempted kidnapping of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the shootings of Minnesota legislators, the two attempted assassinations of Donald Trump, attacks on judges, as well as the recent killing of Charlie Kirk—Americans are increasingly embracing political violence. And the call for blood comes from both sides of the aisle.

In Our Own Worst Enemies, Robert A. Pape argues that American democracy is at a precarious moment because the principal danger in this new phase will come not from a fringe militia group. Rooting his observations in both historical data and fascinating (and terrifying) original interviews with contemporary political actors, Pape shows that support for political violence against democratic institutions is now as likely to come from “normal” political activists with nice homes and 401(k)s as it is from the Proud Boys and the cast of sometimes-oddball characters who stormed the Capitol. He identifies the precursors to the current moment, explains why the old solutions are not working this time around, and articulates what is needed to safeguard democracy in this new age of “violent populism.”

For over two centuries, American democracy has depended on citizens’ willingness to accept political differences and peaceful transitions of power. Our Own Worst Enemies tells us how we can return to those all-important norms.