Unlocking the ‘black box’ of conspiracy theories in and about Europe

In this chapter, we unpack the narrative logic of conspiracy theories about Europe formulated according to a simplistic trajectory of causes and effects. The conspiracy theory ‘black box’ contains two intertwined narrative strands intended to provide both rational explanations and moral judgments concerning existential crises affecting the continent over the last decade. Due to their explanatory potential, conspiracy theories are easily integrated into the news cycles of traditional media, fused with the agenda-setting potential and virality of social media. Moreover, offering a black-and-white and anti-establishment narrative, conspiracy theories are compatible with the populist style of politics favouring simple solutions over complex decision-making processes informed by expertise. Since conspiracy theories about Europe are fuelled by existential fears, people tend to embrace authoritarian rule as an alternative to deliberative democracy and the checks and balances of the rule of law. Perplexingly, conspiracy theories about Europe are expressed in terms of a contradictory dualism between absolute power and absolute weakness, a dualism assuming mythical dimensions. Interpreted as political myths of Europe, these theories assume a function in complex processes of identification. During the COVID-19 pandemic, dystopian conspiracy theories have led to the formation of new coalitions and realigned political preferences among European electorates with hitherto unpredictable consequences

The new european order? Euroscepticism and conspiracy belief

What do Eurosceptic sentiments and beliefs imply for the tendency to believe conspiracy theories? In the present chapter, we propose that Euroscepticism and belief in conspiracy theories are inherently and mutually related. Furthermore, we develop an argument as to why this may be the case. In particular, Euroscepticism is a central part of the ideologies of radical (i.e., populist, extremist and nationalist) political movements across the EU. The central thrust in such radical mindsets is that the EU is a malevolent entity, undermining national sovereignty caused by the domination within EU institutions. For the left, the EU is a conduit of international capital and (Jewish) bankers conspiring to immiserate the poor, undermine national welfare states and destroy workers’ rights. The thinking style and rhetoric of such radical leftist and rightist movements provide fertile ground for susceptibility to conspiracy theories, in various ways. First, radical political movements typically endorse simple solutions for complex problems. Second, radical political movements typically endorse anti-establishment sentiments. Relatedly, a third aspect of radical political movements is a tendency to dichotomously perceive society as consisting of good groups versus bad groups. Finally, radical political movements endorse their beliefs with excessive confidence

Sisters of virtue’ in Swedish Pomerania

The article analyses aspects of female sociability in the Swedish realm during the Eighteenth century based upon hitherto unpublished source material