The recent assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson shocked the nation, but the reactions that followed were equally striking.

#FreeLuigi became a trending topic online, with many offering to pay for the legal fees of the alleged shooter, Luigi Mangione, who some view not as a murderer but as a symbol of defiance.

As individuals analyzing American society, we were not taken aback by the public’s response. New findings from our organization, the FrameWorks Institute—a nonprofit focused on social science—show that a staggering 70% of Americans feel that “the system is rigged” by a select few against the average citizen.

Mangione expressed these sentiments in a notebook he carried at the time of his arrest, stating that health insurance companies have grown excessively powerful and exploit the country for massive profits, calling them out for their “corruption and greed” and “manipulative practices.”

Anyone who has faced denial of a claim or experienced frustrations in getting medical care likely has felt similarly.

Fortunately, most individuals do not resort to extreme violence to express their dissatisfaction.

Yet, what does it say about our society that many feel understanding toward Mangione’s alleged motivations, if not his actions? This question requires a thorough national evaluation.

The ‘System is Rigged’ Belief Spans Across Politics, Gender, Race, and Income

Surveys conducted by FrameWorks with over 35,000 participants since August 2020 reveal that the belief in a “rigged system” is common. This perception is shared by majorities from different political backgrounds (72% of Republicans, 65% of Democrats); across genders (74% of women, 65% of men); varying income levels (78% of those earning under $25,000, 61% of those earning over $150,000); and across age groups (81% of individuals aged 18-29, 58% of those aged 60 and older).

This sentiment is also strong among various racial and ethnic groups, including 75% of Black individuals, 72% of Asian individuals, 71% of Latino/Hispanic individuals, and 65% of non-Latino white individuals.

In a country where finding common ground can often be challenging, this shared belief stands out.

However, while there is a strong consensus that the system is unfair, it raises further questions about who is responsible for rigging it and how it happens.

Some argue that the “elite few” include big corporations, the wealthy, political leaders, academics, or celebrities. Conversely, the “common people” perceived to be disadvantaged by this rigging can range from low-income workers to the white middle class or ethnic minorities.

Conservatives often blame liberal elites for manipulating the system against the working class in favor of immigrants, while progressives point fingers at corporate elites who prioritize profit over the welfare of ordinary workers.

Examining the belief that the “system is rigged” is essential, not just from a scholarly perspective. These perceptions have tangible and frequently damaging effects.

This sentiment helps explain why, despite being the wealthiest nation in history, countless Americans live in poverty, lack childcare options, face hunger, experience unstable housing, and struggle to access healthcare.

The feeling that “the system” favors a select group at the expense of the many sheds light on the surprising support for Mangione, as well as why such a violent act was condoned by many.

Channeling Public Frustrations into Constructive Action

Although the belief that “the system is rigged” can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair, it is misleading to think that nothing positive can emerge from it. Conversely, our findings suggest otherwise—this perspective can be beneficial if it is directed toward constructive actions aimed at creating a fairer society.

Our research indicates that when individuals understand how power distribution works within our economic and political systems, they are less prone to believe in misperceptions like the idea that the system favors immigrants at white workers’ expense (xenophobia) or that society requires a “strong leader” to eliminate “troublemakers” (authoritarianism). These changes are evident across the political spectrum.

We discovered that it is crucial to align the scale of solutions to the magnitude of the issues at hand. This involves either focusing on smaller, specific solutions to individual problems or discussing broader transformative strategies that could effectively address the systemic flaws.

Participants recognized that our society is in need of significant transformation. It is crucial for us to help people envision how this change could be achieved. The belief that “the system is rigged” can motivate the necessary alterations to create a more equitable America—one where everyone can earn a living wage, receive affordable and quality healthcare, have access to wholesome food and secure housing, enjoy paid family and medical leave and childcare, and live in safe neighborhoods with clean air and water.

We should not tolerate a societal condition where individuals feel that violence is their only option. The encouraging aspect is that since humans establish these systems, they also possess the power to change them.

Effecting this change will require substantial time, effort, and resources. However, recognizing the “system is rigged” perspective and directing it toward constructive and meaningful efforts is the first step forward.

Andrew Volmert serves as the Senior Vice President for Research at the FrameWorks Institute. Nat Kendall-Taylor is the Chief Executive Officer of the FrameWorks Institute.