CFCC political science professor warns of ‘downward spiral’ as nation faces rising political violence

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A day after the deadly shooting of Charlie Kirk, people across the country and the Cape Fear are still trying to make sense of the recent increase in political violence.

Political activist Charlie Kirk was a close friend and ally of President Donald Trump.

Some say Kirk’s reach and influence among conservatives helped Trump win a second term in the White House in 2024.

Kirk co-founded the conservative organization Turning Point USA in 2012 and served as its executive director.

Nelson Beaulieu is a political science professor at Cape Fear Community College.

He said the use of heated rhetoric to push one’s political views could lead to more incidents like this.

“Violence in a political context is very, very dangerous for society,” Beaulieu said. “When, historically when people don’t believe their institutions are effective at addressing their problems, they feel the need to resort to this type of thing. There is a downward spiral effect that I think every American should be concerned about.”

Beaulieu said American and world history is full of examples of escalating political violence, from various German parties fighting for power following World War 1, to thousands of bombings in the US in the early 1970s, protesting the Vietnam War and other major social issues at the time.

Kirk’s assassination comes just a few months after 2 Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses were shot, with one couple being killed.

Reagan Faulkner is the chair of UNCW’s College Republicans.

She said violent incidents like this could make it harder for people to voice and debate their beliefs with others.

“It really silences everybody that has a different opinion,” Faulkner said. “I feel like it puts a lot of fear into people who might think differently. Definitely, a lot of our members have expressed, like “hey, I don’t know how I feel about this anymore.”

The UNCW College Republicans and UNCW College Democrats released a joint statement that reads:

“The UNCW College Republicans and UNCW College Democrats stand together in firm solidarity in condemning all forms of senseless political violence.

Violence has no place in our communities, on our campuses or in our political process. American democracy is strongest when people with different beliefs are able to debate, disagree and advocate for their values openly, peacefully, and respectfully.

Moments like this remind us that our shared commitment to democracy is greater than any partisan difference. We may not always agree on policies or candidates, but we are united in the belief that every individual deserves to participate in public life free of fear of intimidation.

We extend our deepest condolences the family, friends and loved ones of Charlie Kirk during this tragic time, and we reaffirm our commitment to building a civic culture where respect, dialogue and safety are the foundation of our political life.” 

And this type of bipartisan condemnation of political violence, Beaulieu said, is what our country needs.

“Violence, political violence has absolutely no place in our discourse, in our society. it’s detrimental and I personally condemn it outright.”