Out-of-power party supporters endorse more conspiracy theories, especially far-right ones
Evidence
Joe has an interesting theory, though, namely that conspiracy theories are for ‘losers’. What he means is that those out of (political) power are typically more likely to espouse conspiracy theories about those in power and, indeed, empirical research across many countries shows support for the idea that conspiratorial thinking, on average, is higher for supporters of political parties who are currently not in power (especially on the far-right). Several scholars, including myself, think that although this is definitely a piece of the puzzle, the trend is much broader so that endorsement of conspiracy theories seems to fluctuate more generally as a function of societal and political unrest. — Sander van der Linden, Foolproof, 223
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: Political exclusion drives left-leaning people to conspiracy theorizing — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 25; Conspiracy theories give concrete form to a group’s sensed loss of power — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 58; Confirmation bias makes conspiracism rise among the political out-group — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying: The New…, 118 (+7 more)
Broader Connections
- Conspiracy theories give concrete form to a group’s sensed loss of power
#corroborates(0.85) — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 58 - Political losing raises a group’s propensity for conspiratorial reasoning rather than causing it
#qualifies(0.85) — Joseph E. Uscinski and Joseph M. Parent, American Conspiracy Theories, 756 - Contemporary conspiracy theories function as politically serviceable tools for right-wing ends
#corroborates(0.82) — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 121 - Conspiratorial accusations against a party rise the longer it holds power
#corroborates(0.82) — Joseph E. Uscinski and Joseph M. Parent, American Conspiracy Theories, 734 - Confirmation bias makes conspiracism rise among the political out-group
#expands(0.80) — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying, 118 - Out-of-power domestic groups generate most conspiratorial talk
#corroborates(0.80) — Joseph E. Uscinski and Joseph M. Parent, American Conspiracy Theories, 699 - Out-of-power groups always drive conspiracy talk as winners disengage
#expands(0.80) — Joseph E. Uscinski and Joseph M. Parent, American Conspiracy Theories, 590 - Conspiracy belief is universal across demographics while specific theories split along party lines
#qualifies(0.75) — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 93 - Conspiracy theories often stem from legitimate populist suspicion of elites
#qualifies(0.72) — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 66