Polarization suppresses moderates through terrorist intimidation

Evidence

Extremists drive the groups apart. Hate groups broadcast polarizing propaganda. Laws may forbid intermarriage or social interaction. Extremist terrorism targets moderates, intimidating and silencing the center. — Gregory H. Stanton, Ten Stages of Genocide, 14

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Blind terrorism provokes blind repression, polarizing and hardening a conflict; Terrorism aims at political influence through emotional arousal rather than destruction — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4067; Polarisation crushes moderates while strengthening extreme positions — Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Algeria 1954-1962, 1271 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Polarisation crushes moderates while strengthening extreme positions #corroborates (0.95) — Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Algeria 1954-1962, 1271
• Intense polarization persists over a policy affecting only a small minority #corroborates (0.78)
• Terrorism aims at political influence through emotional arousal rather than destruction #expands (0.74) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4067
• Terrorism incites outsized public fear through unpredictability, lethality, and uncontrollability #expands (0.73)
• Blind terrorism provokes blind repression, polarizing and hardening a conflict #corroborates (0.72)
• Perceived ideological extremity of outgroups drives a self-reinforcing cycle of polarization #qualifies (0.71) — Rachel Hartman et al., Interventions to Reduce Partisan…, 74