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32 pages, 421 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Folklore to Conspiracy Beliefs: A Gramscian Approach to Conspiracy Theory Studies

by Maria Chiara Pozzoni and Giuseppe Quattromini

Genealogy 2024, 8(4), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8040145 - 3 Dec 2024

Viewed by 644

This paper applies Antonio Gramsci’s theory of folklore—defined as the cultural expressions of subaltern groups reflecting their lived experiences of subalternity—to contemporary conspiracy beliefs, arguing that these beliefs function as a form of what he called “modern folklore”. Drawing on Gramsci’s insights into [...] Read more.

This paper applies Antonio Gramsci’s theory of folklore—defined as the cultural expressions of subaltern groups reflecting their lived experiences of subalternity—to contemporary conspiracy beliefs, arguing that these beliefs function as a form of what he called “modern folklore”. Drawing on Gramsci’s insights into hegemony, it examines how subaltern beliefs emerge as both reflections of and responses to sociocultural conditions. The paper demonstrates that conspiracy mentality, akin to Gramscian folklore, inadequately encapsulates the issues and aspirations of those feeling marginalised and not represented within hegemonic systems. It outlines how distorted elements of modern scientific and political thought are integrated into folklore, resulting in inconsistent and fragmented worldviews. Key topics include the role of commercial literature in shaping subaltern consciousness and the political implications of conspiracy beliefs, particularly how they are utilised by reactionary movements to further their agendas. The analysis concludes with two case studies: one from Gramsci’s writings and another on contemporary conspiracy beliefs related to COVID-19, illustrating how these examples exemplify modern folklore. This approach offers a critical framework for understanding the social, cultural, and political origins and functions of conspiracy beliefs, highlighting the relevance of Gramsci’s thought to conspiracy theory studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conspiracy Theories: Genealogies and Political Uses)

20 pages, 349 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conspiratorial Narratives and Ideological Constructs in the Russia–Ukraine Conflict: From the New World Order to the Golden Billion Theories

by Marino De Luca and Luigi Giungato

Genealogy 2024, 8(4), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8040131 - 12 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1683

Abstract

This article explores the pervasive influence of conspiracy theories, specifically the New World Order (NWO) and Golden Billion theories, within the context of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. These theories form key narrative frameworks in Russian state media and global conspiracy [...] Read more.

This article explores the pervasive influence of conspiracy theories, specifically the New World Order (NWO) and Golden Billion theories, within the context of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. These theories form key narrative frameworks in Russian state media and global conspiracy communities, shaping perceptions of geopolitical events. This study dissects four pivotal episodes within the Russia–Ukraine conflict to illustrate how conspiracy theories shape public perception and policy direction, further entrenching ideological divides. In the first episode of the 2022 full-scale invasion, narratives of the Golden Billion were utilised to justify the attack, presenting Russia as a bastion against the Western elite’s plans to dominate the global economy and resources. The second episode examines the attack on Mariupol in 2022, framed by Russian propaganda as a necessary act to thwart the supposed expansion of NATO and the EU, underpinned by the NWO agenda aiming to dilute Russian influence in Eastern Europe. The third episode analyses the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage in 2022, interpreted by some conspiracy theorists as an act by the NWO to destabilise Europe’s energy security, thus consolidating control over energy routes and resources. The fourth episode delves into the 2024 Moscow terrorist attacks, which were seen by some as either a false flag operation conducted by Western powers or as a legitimate repercussion of Western encroachment orchestrated to weaken Russia’s resolve and international standing. Each episode is contextualised within a broader conspiratorial framework, highlighting the dualistic nature of the NWO and Golden Billion theories that paint the conflict not merely as territorial disputes but as a clash between fundamentally opposing worldviews and global orders. This narrative analysis not only underscores the role of conspiracy theories in shaping geopolitical discourse but also demonstrates their utility in mobilising domestic support, framing international criticism, and justifying military actions. Our findings suggest that these conspiratorial narratives provide a resilient, albeit misleading, lens through which supporters of the Kremlin’s policies can rationalise the war, attributing complex sociopolitical dynamics to the malevolent machinations of a global elite. This study contributes to understanding how modern conflicts are interpreted through ancient conspiratorial lenses, impacting national and international policy and public opinion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conspiracy Theories: Genealogies and Political Uses)

15 pages, 2328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Re-Gendering Conspirational Thinking: How Social Media Use, Gender and Population Densities Affect Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories on COVID-19

by Giuliana Sorci

Genealogy 2024, 8(3), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8030100 - 6 Aug 2024

Viewed by 995

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate how social media use and gender affect beliefs in conspiracy theories on COVID-19 and how these beliefs correlate with the frequency and patterns of their use, as well as the distribution of population density in rural, town, and [...] Read more.

This paper aims to investigate how social media use and gender affect beliefs in conspiracy theories on COVID-19 and how these beliefs correlate with the frequency and patterns of their use, as well as the distribution of population density in rural, town, and urban areas. I collected data from Valcon Project surveys, analyzing the usage of social media by citizens from six European countries (Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Poland, and Ireland) on issues like the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic spread. The findings, which take into consideration gender and population density, suggest that different social media platforms affected such beliefs in different ways (platform association), and this effect is also mitigated by the specific content of such conspiracy theories (content association). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conspiracy Theories: Genealogies and Political Uses)

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14 pages, 264 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Hypothesis of Conspiracy to Re-Enchant the World

by Sofia Scacco

Genealogy 2024, 8(2), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8020073 - 6 Jun 2024

Viewed by 899

Abstract

Many scholars have understood conspiracy theories as sense-making mechanisms. Among them, a particular strand further inspected them in parallel with religion and magic. This comparison bears the risk of framing conspiracy theories as irrational interpretations and anachronisms with respect to contemporary ways of [...] Read more.

Many scholars have understood conspiracy theories as sense-making mechanisms. Among them, a particular strand further inspected them in parallel with religion and magic. This comparison bears the risk of framing conspiracy theories as irrational interpretations and anachronisms with respect to contemporary ways of explaining reality. This contribution takes off from the reflections of those who have highlighted this risk. It tries to confront the possibility of using the concept of enchantment without implying a normative judgment on the irrationality of conspiracy theories. This paper carries out this effort by closely inspecting Max Weber’s texts. I argue that Weber’s notion of enchantment and disenchantment allows for a punctual use of both, devoid of normative implications. After setting out this non-normative notion of enchantment, this paper examines the characteristics of the enchanted worldview and its usefulness in reading conspiracy theories. Finally, this paper supports this effort using the identified characteristics to systematise a reading of conspiracy-based accounts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conspiracy Theories: Genealogies and Political Uses)

13 pages, 264 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sociopolitical Genealogy of Populist Conspiracy Theories in the Context of Hyperpolitics

by Alessio Esposito

Genealogy 2024, 8(2), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8020066 - 23 May 2024

Viewed by 1029

Abstract

The wide circulation of conspiracy narratives and their frequent intertwining with populist rhetoric is both an element of concern and a topic of intense scientific and philosophical debate. The depth of the link between conspiracy theories and populism represents a crucial issue whose [...] Read more.

The wide circulation of conspiracy narratives and their frequent intertwining with populist rhetoric is both an element of concern and a topic of intense scientific and philosophical debate. The depth of the link between conspiracy theories and populism represents a crucial issue whose comprehension can facilitate understanding their specific nature and the factors behind their diffusion in public communication. To this end, it is necessary to cultivate an interdisciplinary approach and great critical attention, eschewing monocausal explanations. This paper addresses the question of the essentially political nature of conspiracism, confronting the recent epistemological debate that, by putting the positivist paradigm aside, has sought to explore and understand the socio-cultural roots of conspiracy rhetoric, with its sceptical, antagonistic and hermetic traits. By integrating the reflections of epistemologists such as Cassam or Harris with the considerations of political scientists such as Taggart and with Schmitt’s radical reflections on politics, it is perhaps possible to reintegrate the different approaches to populist conspiracism into an overall social genealogical perspective, thanks also to recent demographic elaborations. Thus, we could ascribe the spread of conspiracism to the prevalence in societies of a hyperpolitical discursive regime, i.e., founded on the principle of opposition, without the possibility of compromise, between different groups and interests. At the basis of such Manichaeism, it is plausible to place in the first place the growing inequalities and related social disintegration, which hinder the circulation of trust and recognition between individuals and groups, thus ending up undermining democracy at its roots, as a political system that legitimises and thus peacefully regulates conflict. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conspiracy Theories: Genealogies and Political Uses)

17 pages, 2775 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multimodal Genealogy: The Capitol Hill Riot and Conspiracy Iconography

by Vittorio Iervese

Genealogy 2024, 8(2), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8020058 - 11 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1002

Abstract

The Capitol Hill riots on 6 January 2021 were an event of great importance not only because of their political and legal impact, but also because they allowed everyone to observe the symbols, images, masks, and other signs that were displayed in front [...] Read more.

The Capitol Hill riots on 6 January 2021 were an event of great importance not only because of their political and legal impact, but also because they allowed everyone to observe the symbols, images, masks, and other signs that were displayed in front of the cameras of many journalists and eyewitnesses. The iconography displayed on that occasion should not be dealt with as an extemporary invention but considered the result of a process of semantic and narrative accumulation produced in online and offline interactions. This article seeks to outline a theoretical–methodological framework of contemporary conspiracy images as multimodal forms of communication. Starting with images collected on Capitol Hill along with a corpus of online conversations that occurred on platforms such as Gab, in particular, between 2016 and 2021, examples of the dynamics of constitution of conspiracy images and their genealogy will be provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conspiracy Theories: Genealogies and Political Uses)

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15 pages, 297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Conspiracist Populism in Power: The Case of Kais Saied in Tunisia

by Claudia Annovi

Genealogy 2024, 8(2), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8020043 - 16 Apr 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2112

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to conduct a literature review of the existing nexus between conspiracy theories and populist politics. Most of the literature considering the political nature of conspiracy theories has focused mainly on individual action and electoral choices, hence setting [...] Read more.

The aim of this paper is to conduct a literature review of the existing nexus between conspiracy theories and populist politics. Most of the literature considering the political nature of conspiracy theories has focused mainly on individual action and electoral choices, hence setting aside the agency of political leaders that deliberately resort to these tales to mobilise supporters. On the contrary, conspiracy theories are increasingly moving away from extremist politics to enter the institutional political arena and become part and parcel of the political narratives and strategies of institutional figures. Against this backdrop, the present work offers a new approach to investigate the connection between populist conspiracy theories and conspiracist populism and attempts to explain how conspiracist populism works and what its potential impact on contemporary democracies is. The analysis of the literature offers some theoretical insights to explore the specific case of the presidency of Kais Saied in Tunisia, which has been labelled as a form of constitutional populism integrating conspiracy theories. The inquiry on the Tunisian case demonstrates that conspiracy theories can represent both tactics and framings for populists in power, and, if democratic checks and balances are weak enough, they can lead to the erosion of democracy itself. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conspiracy Theories: Genealogies and Political Uses)

15 pages, 292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The “Global” Deception: Flat-Earth Conspiracy Theory between Science and Religion

by Nicola Luciano Pannofino

Genealogy 2024, 8(2), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy8020032 - 25 Mar 2024

Viewed by 3841

Abstract

The article focuses on flat earthism, one of the most well-known contemporary conspiracy theories in popular culture. According to proponents of this theory, which has found a growing international following in recent years, political institutions such as the U.S. government and scientific institutions [...] Read more.

The article focuses on flat earthism, one of the most well-known contemporary conspiracy theories in popular culture. According to proponents of this theory, which has found a growing international following in recent years, political institutions such as the U.S. government and scientific institutions such as NASA would operate to deceive humanity about the real shape of our planet and the universe in which we live. In countering the data acquired by modern science and common sense knowledge, flat earthism stands as a heterodox theory and a radical critique of the authority of socially legitimized epistemic institutions. This article consists of two parts. The first part will offer a genealogical reconstruction of the flat-earth conspiracy, tracing its history from the 19th century to the exponents of the current movement. The second part will delve into the discourse of the proponents of flat earthism with specific reference to the Italian context, through documentary analysis of recent publications and online material available on YouTube and Telegram, which constitute some of the main channels for the discussion and dissemination of flat earthism in Italy today. On the basis of the data collected and analyzed, it will be shown how flat earthism represents a paradigmatic case of superconspiracy, that is, of a far-reaching theory capable of linking and including within itself a set of other, more circumscribed theories. To this end, flat earthism elaborates on a discourse that ambivalently combines two registers, scientific and religious language, proposing itself as a dissident narrative that if on the one hand rejects the knowledge of institutionalized and organized science and religion, on the other hand accredits an alternative and anti-intellectualist path of knowledge, accessible to the “common man” that aims to create a space of autonomy and opposition to the processes of secularization and globalization in which the flat earthers see the project of building a dystopian New World Order. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conspiracy Theories: Genealogies and Political Uses)

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