Top Highlights

• subsequent opponents of conspiracism to liken conspiracy theories to accounts of miracles, which can be dismissed without assessing their claims in detail.15 Many researchers agree with Popper (and with the scientific community generally) that genuine theories must be falsifiable, which conspiracy theories are not.16 Other researchers conclude that...
• conspiracy theories should be seen as plausible “master narratives” that demand serious examination, especially in “the absence of a credible narrative” from the authorities. The term “narrative” skirts the issue of falsifiability. It can be argued that, as narratives, even if some conspiracy theories are “nutty” or just “silly,” this is not due to...
• conspiracism has an overarching narrative of good versus evil: a classic Manichean dichotomy. Among
• posits “two homogenous and antagonistic groups, ‘the pure people’ versus ‘the corrupt elite.’” The elite is frequently alien, but homegrown elites can become “disloyal” and betray the people. Both populism and conspiracism are considered “thin-centered” ideologies (i.e., there is not much substance at their core), which can be easily combined witho...
• among those on the right who are particularly fearful, anxious, and frustrated, many of whom are suspicious even of “mainstream” conservatives.33 The distinguishing psychological attributes that push them off the end of the political spectrum may be tendencies toward authoritarianism and social dominance.34