Common Tropes in Weaponizing Conspiracy Theories

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This conclusion chapter to the book titled Weaponizing Conspiracy Theories synthesizes how populist leaders across different regions weaponize conspiracy theories like Eurabia in Europe, the Deep State in America, and anti-Western narratives in Russia. These theories, evolving from fringe beliefs to mainstream political tools over just a few decades, are used by both populist politicians in democracies and authoritarian regimes to suppress dissent and maintain control. The rise of social media has played a crucial role in disseminating these theories, bypassing traditional media gatekeepers. This phenomenon has critical implications for democracy, fostering extremism and eroding trust in public institutions. The chapter highlights the need to distinguish between consumers and promoters of these theories, emphasizing their deliberate use by nativist populists for political gain and their potential harm in modern politics.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWeaponizing Conspiracy Theories
Place of PublicationAbingdon, Oxon
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter5
Pages105-123
Number of pages19
ISBN (Electronic)9781003460770
ISBN (Print)9781032608495, 9781032607382
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 May 2024

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