Understanding the Pathways from Grievance to Political Violence: The Role of Ethnic Narcissism and Perceived Victimhood on Support for Political Violence in New Zealand

Political violence is a growing problem in the western world. Using data from 29,759 adults in New Zealand, here we examine the role of two factors predicting support for political violence: (a) perceived ethnic victimhood, the view that the larger society is hostile toward one’s ethnic group, and (b) ethnic narcissism, the view that one’s ethnic group is owed more than they are given. Combining these two factors, we find that white majority group individuals who believe that society is hostile toward their ethnic group show significantly more support for political violence, particularly when they also believe their ethnic group is owed more than they are given and are insecurely attached to their group. However, white majority group individuals who are securely attached to their ethnic identity and do not believe they deserve more do not reveal such tendencies, and this relationship only holds for the white majority group, and not for ethnic minority groups. Thus, it is a particular kind of white identity, one that feels entitled, insecure, and threatened that is most likely to endorse violence for political ends when combined with a sense of grievance and victimhood.