Diverse millenarian movements are unified by a shared conspiracy theory.

Evidence

Although styles of millenarian thought have become increasingly diverse, the result has not been the cacophony one might expect. Despite the unprecedented millenarian pluralism in contemporary America, the varieties described in the preceding chapter—religious, secular, and improvisational—have been integrated by the wide acceptance of a unifying conspiracy theory commonly denoted by the phrase New World Order. This theory may be found in religious, secular, and improvisational versions. In this chapter I examine its disparate origins, for it appears to have developed separately out of religious and secular ideas that subsequently converged. — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 240

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to book_so_far ch4 claims about improvisational millennialism needing accessible motifs and weakened authority — the NWO provides the accessible unifying motif. — connects to: New World Order conspiracy theory spans the religious-secular divide — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 346; A major millenarian movement can flourish without conspiracy beliefs — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 104; Unpopular millenarian movements invoke hidden evil to explain failed recruitment — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 69 (+5 more)
• recurring: this claim recurs 2 times within its source

Broader Connections

• Post-1960s millennialism freely blends traditions into conspiracist bricolage #expands (0.90) — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 110
• Specific claims are subordinate to a superordinate conspiracy narrative #expands (0.78) — Sander van der Linden, Foolproof, 195
• Totalitarian movements justify present terror by reckoning in millennia rather than generations #expands (0.72)