VIOLOMETER

Methodology

Scores (0–100) estimate how often each side’s public discourse calls for violence or issues threats against political opponents or groups. They are derived from online and media discourse — not pre-existing indices — using the same rubric in every country. Left and Right map to the dominant progressive vs conservative (or equivalent) factions within that country, not transplanted US parties. In power marks which of those two local sides holds national government that month (with transitions where power changed). Spectrum (−100 to +100) is public left–right sentiment that month (−100 far left, +100 far right). Authority (−100 to +100) is public libertarian ↔ authoritarian mood (security/order raises Authority, not automatically “right”). Together they form a political compass: square = public mood, circle = who holds decisive power; the gold line is the gap toward the people with office or guns. Polity (electoral, ethnic-military, militia, junta, theocratic, one-party) names the cleavage; it is not a third axis. In militia and ethnic-military systems the camps are civil vs armed, not transplanted Western parties. Spectrum is also the coloured dots under the country chart. Higher violent-speech scores mean more violent rhetoric. Scores are for entertainment and experimental purposes.