Conspiracism functions as a political explanation of hidden power

Evidence

Conspiracism is, fi rst and foremost, an explanation of politics. It purports to locate and identify the true loci of power and thereby illuminate previously hidden decision making. The conspirators, often referred to as a shadow or hidden government, operate a concealed political system behind the visible one, whose functionaries are either ciphers or puppets. — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 1077

Categorization

• DEFINE: Frames conspiracism primarily as political theorizing, not pathology.
• recurring: this claim recurs 2 times within its source
• XREF: connects to: Political exclusion drives the mob toward conspiratorial readings of power — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 311; Fear of invisible government manipulation drives false flag conspiracy theories. — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 351; Conspiracism in power simultaneously denigrates institutions and enlists them to validate claims. — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying: The New…, 172 (+11 more)

Broader Connections

• Fear of invisible government manipulation drives false flag conspiracy theories. #exemplifies (0.80) — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 351
• Political exclusion drives the mob toward conspiratorial readings of power #expands (0.78) — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 311