The Russia probe revealed conspiracism’s core function of delegitimating institutions

Evidence

Let’s look more closely at the Russia investigation, which lays bare the contours of the new conspiracism and its drive to delegitimate regular practice. In 2017 Robert Mueller, the special counsel, was tasked with investigating Russian interference in the presidential election to assist Trump’s candidacy. From the outset, the White House and friends in Congress and in the media began a concerted campaign to delegitimate the investigation. — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying, 89

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: New conspiracism obscures real power by delegitimating the institutions that render it visible — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying: The New…, 363; Conspiracism functions as a political explanation of hidden power — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 1077; New conspiracism operates without theory because its sole product is delegitimation — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying: The New…, 82 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• New conspiracism obscures real power by delegitimating the institutions that render it visible #corroborates (0.95) — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying, 363
• Conspiracism attacks shared modes of explanation, not just specific targets #expands (0.85) — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying, 24
• Conspiracism functions as a political explanation of hidden power #qualifies (0.80) — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 1077
• New conspiracism operates without theory because its sole product is delegitimation #expands (0.80) — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying, 82