Conspiracy Theories and the People Who Believe Them Summary

In Conspiracy Theories and the People Who Believe Them, author Joseph Uscinski collates a collection of different conspiracy theories relating to history and analyses the psychology behind them.

For example, one of the essays written, ‘Why the Powerful (in Weak States) Prefer Conspiracy Theories’, suggests that conspiracies are a tool for the weak and powerless. They are more a folk knowledge than anything of real significance. This section of the story suggests that the secrecy of governments makes ‘conspiracy an attractive—and often effective—rhetorical strategy.’

The conspiracy theorists, however, do pose a threat to society as they can question the purpose or validity of governments and policies. Moreover, Uscinski further suggests that those in powerful places manage to use these theories to their advantage in order to control the masses and for their own means.

Essentially, the book highlights the fringe phenomena of conspiracy theorists and that it is present in everyday life as a means of control.