What is Political Violence?
Historical Background
Key Points
12 points- 1.
Political violence encompasses a wide range of actions, from peaceful protests that turn violent to organized armed conflicts.
- 2.
The state can be both a perpetrator and a victim of political violence. States can use violence to repress dissent, while also being targeted by insurgent groups.
- 3.
Key stakeholders include governments, political parties, civil society organizations, armed groups, and individual citizens.
- 4.
The impact of political violence can be measured in terms of fatalities, injuries, displacement, economic losses, and psychological trauma.
- 5.
Political violence is often linked to other forms of violence, such as criminal violence and domestic violence.
Visual Insights
Understanding Political Violence
Mind map illustrating the causes, consequences, and prevention strategies for political violence.
Political Violence
- ●Causes
- ●Forms
- ●Consequences
- ●Prevention
Recent Real-World Examples
2 examplesIllustrated in 2 real-world examples from Feb 2026 to Feb 2026
West Bengal BJP Reaches Out to Muslims Ahead of Assembly Elections
15 Feb 2026This news highlights how political narratives can be used to frame certain groups as victims of political violence, potentially mobilizing support or inciting further conflict. It demonstrates how the concept of political violence is not just about physical acts, but also about the perception and manipulation of violence for political gain. The news challenges the idea that political violence is always a spontaneous outburst, showing how it can be strategically used by political actors. The implications are that understanding the narratives surrounding political violence is crucial for analyzing its causes and consequences. It also shows that understanding political violence is crucial for analyzing political strategies, especially those targeting specific communities. This news reveals the importance of critically examining claims of political violence and considering the motivations behind them. It is crucial to understand this concept to properly analyze the news because it provides a framework for understanding the dynamics of political competition, identity politics, and the potential for violence in electoral contexts.
Source Topic
West Bengal BJP Reaches Out to Muslims Ahead of Assembly Elections
Polity & GovernanceUPSC Relevance
Political violence is relevant for GS-2 (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) and GS-3 (Internal Security). It is frequently asked in the context of conflict resolution, human rights, and international relations. In Prelims, questions may focus on the causes and consequences of political violence.
In Mains, questions often require analyzing specific cases of political violence and proposing solutions. Recent years have seen questions on the role of non-state actors in political violence and the impact of technology on conflict. For answering questions, focus on providing a balanced perspective, considering both the root causes and the immediate triggers of violence.
Use case studies to illustrate your points.
Frequently Asked Questions
61. What is political violence, and what are its key characteristics as defined for UPSC preparation?
Political violence, as defined for UPSC, is the use of force by groups or individuals to achieve political goals, going beyond normal political activities. Key characteristics include: * It aims to change government policies, seize power, or disrupt the political order. * It can be perpetrated by both state and non-state actors. * It undermines democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
- •Use of force to achieve political goals.
- •Aims to change government policies or seize power.
- •Undermines democracy and human rights.
- •Perpetrated by both state and non-state actors.
Exam Tip
Remember the broad scope of political violence, including state repression and non-state actions. This helps in analyzing questions related to internal security and governance.