Stress and institutional distrust drive Americans toward conspiracy explanations of unwelcome reality.

Evidence

“Especially in times of stress, exaggerated febrile explanations of unwelcome reality come to the surface of American life and attract support,” he wrote. The continual resurgence of conspiracy movements, he claimed, “illuminate[s] a striking contrast between our claims to superiority, indeed our mission as a redeemer nation to bring a new world order, and the extraordinary fragility of our confidence in our institutions.” That contrast, he said, “has led some observers to conclude that we are, subconsciously, quite insecure about the value and permanence of our society.” — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 54

Categorization

• XREF: This supports the vault’s Christian-nationalism thread about the redeemer nation and its distinctive fragility, which plausibly explains the shared conspiracy epistemology. — connects to: Conspiracy belief functions as a coping mechanism for groups facing loss and marginalization — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 146; Economic insecurity and minority status predict higher conspiracy belief regardless of education or income — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 145; Conspiracy belief has long spanned the American political spectrum — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 26 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Threat and insecurity from structural conditions drive heightened conspiracy thinking #corroborates (0.90) — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 56
• Distrust, immobility, and fear of outsiders conspiratorialize American politics #corroborates (0.90) — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 59
• Collapse of institutional trust creates a narrative power vacuum that conspiracy ideologies fill #corroborates (0.85) — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 122
• Conspiracy theories give concrete form to a group’s sensed loss of power #expands (0.80) — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 58