Defining "Works"

Yglesias thinks that pro-life domestic terrorism "works":

Random murder of civilians in order to coerce political concessions doesn’t have a great track-record. But direct action terrorist violence against abortion providers has, I think, proven to be a fairly successful tactic. Every time you murder a doctor, you create a disincentive for other medical professionals to provide these services. What’s more, you create a need for additional security at facilities around the country. In addition, the anti-abortion protestors who frequently gather near clinics are made to seem much more intimidating by the fact that the occurrence of these sorts of acts of violence.

But the cultural impact of extremism –and losing the battle over Roe– should not be underestimated. Terrorism can achieve short-term victories but ensures long-term defeat.