Political conspiracism acts independently once entrenched, not as an epiphenomenon

Evidence

The new conspiracism is more than simply an offshoot or epiphenomenon of other forces such as authoritarianism or strident populism. Once it secures a foothold in public life, conspiracism has independent force. — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying, 369

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Conspiracy belief inside power drives state actions, not just civilian politics — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 82; Prior polarization and weakened parties preconditioned conspiracism’s delegitimating effects — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying: The New…, 104; Contemporary mistrust of government has multiple structural causes beyond conspiracism. — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying: The New…, 84 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Conspiracism exerts independent political force once it takes hold. #corroborates (0.95)