Hate Groups as a Measure of Deprivation-Action Response
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Kristin Haltinner, University of Idaho
Presentation Date
7-15-2026
Abstract
For years social scientists across a variety of fields have worked to piece together explanations for American political behavior from social, geographical, & economic lenses. Synthesizing these studies, I propose deprivation-action response (DAR), theorizing that anti-establishment attitudes and actions are driven primarily by a perceived deprivation which creates disillusionment with the ‘system’. To test this theory, I will conduct a county-level regression analysis of hate groups from 2000-2024. Hate groups are an ideal way to study DAR as they represent the extreme end of perceived deprivation—often citing victimhood along multiple social & economic axes—and of action, taking steps to organize, train, and arm themselves to fight against the perceived depriver. If this theory is true, I expect to see that hate groups will form in counties that have high levels of perceived relative deprivation. I expect to see hate group activity increase in counties immediately following economic decline. Furthermore, I expect that groups will be more likely to form in counties that have low levels of education & diversity, and no ‘important’ political things happening, as these are all factors which influence feelings of efficacy and tolerance, which drive people away from right-wing extremism.
Hate Groups as a Measure of Deprivation-Action Response
For years social scientists across a variety of fields have worked to piece together explanations for American political behavior from social, geographical, & economic lenses. Synthesizing these studies, I propose deprivation-action response (DAR), theorizing that anti-establishment attitudes and actions are driven primarily by a perceived deprivation which creates disillusionment with the ‘system’. To test this theory, I will conduct a county-level regression analysis of hate groups from 2000-2024. Hate groups are an ideal way to study DAR as they represent the extreme end of perceived deprivation—often citing victimhood along multiple social & economic axes—and of action, taking steps to organize, train, and arm themselves to fight against the perceived depriver. If this theory is true, I expect to see that hate groups will form in counties that have high levels of perceived relative deprivation. I expect to see hate group activity increase in counties immediately following economic decline. Furthermore, I expect that groups will be more likely to form in counties that have low levels of education & diversity, and no ‘important’ political things happening, as these are all factors which influence feelings of efficacy and tolerance, which drive people away from right-wing extremism.