Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Conspiracy theories

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

"Conspiracy theories are a popular topic of conversation in everyday life but are often frowned upon when it comes to academic discussions. Looking at the recent spate of philosophical interest in conspiracy theories, The Philosophy of Conspiracy Theories asks whether the assumption that belief in conspiracy theories is typically irrational is well founded. The Philosophy of Conspiracy Theories is aimed at both the philosopher and the non-philosopher. It is a qualified defence of belief in conspiracy theories: belief in conspiracy theories can be rational in some circumstances. It covers such issues as: who might be consider a qualified conspiracy theorist; how do we analyse claims of disinformation; is our reliance on official theories a good reason to be suspicious of rival conspiracy theories; and what we should do when official theories and conspiracy theories are in conflict? "--

Conspiracy theories --- Epistemology --- Philosophy

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Conspiracies theories are some of the most striking features in the American political landscape: the Kennedy assassination, aliens at Roswell, subversion by Masons, Jews, Catholics, or communists, and modern movements like Birtherism and Trutherism. But what do we really know about conspiracy theories? Do they share general causes? Are they becoming more common? More dangerous? Who is targeted and why? Who are the conspiracy theorists? How has technology affected conspiracy theorizing? This book draws on three sources of original, systematic, data—120,000 letters to the editor of the New York Times and Chicago Tribune from 1890 and 2010, a two-wave survey around the 2012 presidential election, and a representative sample of Internet discussions—to offer the first century-long view of these issues. Many popular explanations find little support, but an explicitly political explanation fares well. To succeed, conspiracy theories need to follow a strategic logic that mirrors shifts in power. From this perspective, conspiracy theories are a form of threat perception that tracks foreign and domestic power asymmetries to focus attention, integrate groups, and recover from setbacks.

Conspiracy theories --- Théories du complot --- History --- Errors, inventions, etc.

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Conspiracy Theories in the United States and the Middle East is the first book to approach conspiracy theorizing from a decidedly comparative and interdisciplinary perspective. Whereas previous studies have engaged with conspiracy theories within national frameworks only, this collection of essays draws attention to the fact that conspiracist visions are transnational narratives that travel between and connect different cultures. It focuses on the United States and the Middle East because these two regions of the world are entangled in manifold ways and conspiracy theories are currently extremely prominent in both. The contributors to the volume are scholars of Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, History, Political Science, Cultural Studies, and American Studies, who approach the subject from a variety of different theories and methodologies. However, all of them share the fundamental assumption that conspiracy theories must not be dismissed out of hand or ridiculed. Usually wrong and frequently dangerous, they are nevertheless articulations of and distorted responses to needs and anxieties that must be taken seriously. Focusing on individual case studies and displaying a high sensitivity for local conditions and the cultural environment, the essays offer a nuanced image of the workings of conspiracy theories in the United States and the Middle East.

Conspiracy theories --- Political culture --- Conspiracies --- History --- Political crimes and offenses --- History. --- Errors, inventions, etc. --- Conspiracy --- United States --- Middle East --- Civilization --- Politics and government --- Relations --- Conspiracy theories - United States --- Conspiracy theories - Middle East --- Conspiracy - United States --- Conspiracy - Middle East --- Political culture - United States - History - 20th century. --- United States - Civilization --- Middle East - Civilization --- United States - Politics and government --- Middle East - Politics and government --- United States - Relations - Middle East --- Middle East - Relations - United States --- Comparative analysis. --- Conspiracy theories. --- Middle East. --- Transnational narratives. --- United States of America.

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Powerful societal leaders - such as politicians and Chief Executives - are frequently met with substantial distrust by the public. But why are people so suspicious of their leaders? One possibility is that 'power corrupts', and therefore people are right in their reservations. Indeed, there are numerous examples of unethical leadership, even at the highest level, as the Watergate and Enron scandals clearly illustrate. Another possibility is that people are unjustifiably paranoid, as underscored by some of the rather far-fetched conspiracy theories that are endorsed by a surprisingly large portion of citizens. Are societal power holders more likely than the average citizen to display unethical behaviour? How do people generally think and feel about politicians? How do paranoia and conspiracy beliefs about societal power holders originate? In this book, prominent scholars address these intriguing questions and illuminate the many facets of the relations between power, politics and paranoia.

PSYCHOLOGY / Social Psychology. --- Business ethics --- Power (Social sciences) --- Social psychology --- Transparency in government --- Trust --- Social psychology. --- Conspiracy theories --- Transparency in government. --- Business ethics. --- Psychologie sociale --- Confiance --- Transparence (Sciences sociales) --- Morale des affaires --- Moral and ethical aspects --- Social aspects --- Moral and ethical aspects. --- Social aspects. --- Aspect social --- Business --- Psychology --- Social Psychology. --- Pouvoir (Sciences sociales) --- Théories du complot --- Théories du complot --- Businesspeople --- Commercial ethics --- Corporate ethics --- Corporation ethics --- Professional ethics --- Wealth --- Government in the sunshine --- Open government (Transparency in government) --- Openness in government --- Sunshine, Government in the --- Transparence in government --- Public administration --- History --- Mass psychology --- Psychology, Social --- Human ecology --- Social groups --- Sociology --- Empowerment (Social sciences) --- Political power --- Exchange theory (Sociology) --- Political science --- Social sciences --- Consensus (Social sciences) --- Errors, inventions, etc.