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Do Violent Protests Affect Expressions of Party Identity? Evidence from the Capitol Insurrection

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  • EADY, GREGORY
  • HJORTH, FREDERIK
  • DINESEN, PETER THISTED

Abstract

The insurrection at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, was the most dramatic contemporary manifestation of deep political polarization in the United States. Recent research shows that violent protests shape political behavior and attachments, but several questions remain unanswered. Using day-level panel data from a large sample of US social media users to track changes in the identities expressed in their Twitter biographies, we show that the Capitol insurrection caused a large-scale decrease in outward expressions of identification with the Republican Party and Donald Trump, with no indication of reidentification in the weeks that followed. This finding suggests that there are limits to party loyalty: a violent attack on democratic institutions sets boundaries on partisanship, even among avowed partisans. Furthermore, the finding that political violence can deflect copartisans carries the potential positive democratic implication that those who encourage or associate themselves with such violence pay a political cost.

Suggested Citation

  • Eady, Gregory & Hjorth, Frederik & Dinesen, Peter Thisted, 2023. "Do Violent Protests Affect Expressions of Party Identity? Evidence from the Capitol Insurrection," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 117(3), pages 1151-1157, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:117:y:2023:i:3:p:1151-1157_26
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    Cited by:

    1. Freitas Monteiro, Teresa & Prömel, Christopher, 2024. "Local far-right demonstrations and nationwide public attitudes toward migration," Discussion Papers 2024/3, Free University Berlin, School of Business & Economics.

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