Conspiracy Theories A Critical Introduction
Through a series of specific questions that cut to the core of conspiracism as a global social and cultural phenomenon this book deconstructs the logic and rhetoric of conspiracy theories and analyses the broader social and psychological factors
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Conspiracy Theories A Critical Introduction Jovan Byford
© Jovan Byford 2011 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, Saffron House, 6–10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. The author has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. First published 2011 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN Palgrave Macmillan in the UK is an imprint of Macmillan Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS. Palgrave Macmillan in the US is a division of St Martin’s Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world. Palgrave® and Macmillan® are registered trademarks in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and other countries. ISBN 978-1-349-32350-0 DOI 10.1057/9780230349216
ISBN 978-0-230-34921-6 (eBook)
This book is printed on paper suitable for recycling and made from fully managed and sustained forest sources. Logging, pulping and manufacturing processes are expected to conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11
Contents List of Figures
vii
Acknowledgements
viii
1
Introduction Mapping contemporary conspiracy culture Chapter outline
1 6 17
2
Towards a Definition of Conspiracy Theories Negotiating the boundaries of the term ‘conspiracy theory’ Setting the epistemic threshold between real and bogus conspiracies The explanatory logic of the conspiracy theory
20 25
3
Conspiracy Theories and Their Vicissitudes The origins of a tradition of explanation The myth of the Jewish conspiracy Protocols of the Elders of Zion Conspiracy at the heart of the US government Senator McCarthy vs the communist conspiracy The new mythology of secret societies Old wine in a new bottle The Kennedy assassination and its aftermath Conclusion
38 40 47 49 57 58 60 62 65 68
4
The Anatomy of the Conspiracy Theory The conspiratorial group The character of the conspirator The conspiratorial plan Manipulation of many by the few The Manichaean view of politics Naïve optimism of the conspiracy theory The importance of foreknowledge The rhetoric of scientific inquiry The rhetoric of just asking questions Conclusion
71 71 75 76 79 82 83 86 88 90 93
5
Conspiracy Theo
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