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| "'''Conspiracism'''" is a term used by social scientists and scholars to refer to adherents of ] and their way of looking at history and the world around them. The term was popularized by academic |
"'''Conspiracism'''" is a term used by social scientists and scholars to refer to adherents of ] and their way of looking at history and the world around them. The term was popularized by academic Frank P. Mintz in the 1980s. | ||
| According to Mintz, conspiracism denotes: "belief in the primacy of ] in the unfolding of history" (1985: p.4). "Conspiracism serves the needs of diverse political and social groups in America and elsewhere. It identifies elites, blames them for economic and social catastrophes, and assumes that things will be better once popular action can remove them from positions of power. As such, ] do not typify a particular epoch or ideology" (1985: p.199). | According to Mintz, conspiracism denotes: "belief in the primacy of ] in the unfolding of history" (1985: p.4). "Conspiracism serves the needs of diverse political and social groups in America and elsewhere. It identifies elites, blames them for economic and social catastrophes, and assumes that things will be better once popular action can remove them from positions of power. As such, ] do not typify a particular epoch or ideology" (1985: p.199). | ||
| The term has also been used by |
The term has also been used by other authors including ], ], and Matthew N. Lyons. | ||
| According to Berlet & Lyons, "Conspiracism is a particular narrative form of scapegoating that frames demonized enemies as part of a vast insidious plot against the common good, while it valorizes the scapegoater as a hero for sounding the alarm" (2000: p. 9). | |||
| According to Berlet: "conspiracism is often related to ] in ways that generate ], and the ] or ] of an individual or group. Ideas are shared by conspiracists across political and social boundaries." | |||
| Critics of the use of the term "conspiracism" consider it a ]. | Critics of the use of the term "conspiracism" consider it a ]. | ||
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| * Michael Barkun. 2003. ''A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America''. Berkeley: Univ. of California. ISBN 0520238052 | * Michael Barkun. 2003. ''A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America''. Berkeley: Univ. of California. ISBN 0520238052 | ||
| * Robert Alan Goldberg. 2001. ''Enemies Within: The Culture of Conspiracy in Modern America''. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0300090005 | * Robert Alan Goldberg. 2001. ''Enemies Within: The Culture of Conspiracy in Modern America''. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0300090005 | ||
| * Chip Berlet & Matthew N. Lyons. 2000. ''Right-Wing Populism in America: Too Close for Comfort''. New Yoirk: Guilford Press. | |||
| * ]. 1998. ''The Hidden Hand: Middle East Fears of Conspiracy.'' New York: St. Martin’s Press. | * ]. 1998. ''The Hidden Hand: Middle East Fears of Conspiracy.'' New York: St. Martin’s Press. | ||
| * ]. 1997. ''].'' New York: The Free Press. | * ]. 1997. ''].'' New York: The Free Press. | ||
Revision as of 22:27, 15 October 2005
"Conspiracism" is a term used by social scientists and scholars to refer to adherents of conspiracy theory and their way of looking at history and the world around them. The term was popularized by academic Frank P. Mintz in the 1980s.
According to Mintz, conspiracism denotes: "belief in the primacy of conspiracies in the unfolding of history" (1985: p.4). "Conspiracism serves the needs of diverse political and social groups in America and elsewhere. It identifies elites, blames them for economic and social catastrophes, and assumes that things will be better once popular action can remove them from positions of power. As such, conspiracy theories do not typify a particular epoch or ideology" (1985: p.199).
The term has also been used by other authors including Michael Kelly, Chip Berlet, and Matthew N. Lyons.
According to Berlet & Lyons, "Conspiracism is a particular narrative form of scapegoating that frames demonized enemies as part of a vast insidious plot against the common good, while it valorizes the scapegoater as a hero for sounding the alarm" (2000: p. 9).
Critics of the use of the term "conspiracism" consider it a political neologism.
"Conspiracy nut" is a pejorative term sometimes used to describe a conspiracist. It is based upon the perception that such beliefs are unfounded, outlandish, or irrational, or are otherwise unworthy of serious consideration.
See also
- Conspiracy theory
- Conspiracy theories (a collection)
- Lyndon LaRouche
- John Birch Society
- David Icke
- The Protocols of the Elders of Zion
- Coincidence theory
External links
- Conspiracism as a Flawed Worldview by Chip Berlet
References
- Michael Barkun. 2003. A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America. Berkeley: Univ. of California. ISBN 0520238052
- Robert Alan Goldberg. 2001. Enemies Within: The Culture of Conspiracy in Modern America. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0300090005
- Chip Berlet & Matthew N. Lyons. 2000. Right-Wing Populism in America: Too Close for Comfort. New Yoirk: Guilford Press.
- Daniel Pipes. 1998. The Hidden Hand: Middle East Fears of Conspiracy. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
- Daniel Pipes. 1997. Conspiracy: How the Paranoid Style Flourishes and Where It Comes From. New York: The Free Press.
- Frank P. Mintz. 1985. The Liberty Lobby and the American Right: Race, Conspiracy, and Culture. Westport, CT: Greenwood. ISBN 031324393X
- Richard Hofstadter. 1965. The Paranoid Style in American Politics and Other Essays. New York: Knopf. ISBN 0674654617