This book analyses the discursive weaponization of conspiracy theories.
In an era where truth and fiction converge, nativist populist leaders wield conspiracy theories as political weapons. This text examines the interplay between populism and conspiracism, probing their impact on democratic processes and exploring their broader political implications. The work dissects three predominant conspiracy theories: The Eurabia theory in Europe, the Deep State in the United States, and anti-Western narratives in Russia. It shows their evolution from fringe ideas to mainstream political tools and reveals the leaders’ triple strategy: Constructing external threats, demonizing internal elites, and positioning themselves as protectors of the ‘true people.’ It also examines how digital media facilitates the spread of these narratives, undermining institutional trust and fuelling extremism.
Weaponizing Conspiracy Theories serves as a guide to recognize and navigate the distorted realities reshaping our world. It offers essential insights into the complex dynamics of 21st-century global politics. The author argues that to properly understand the functions of contemporary politics, into which conspiracy theories and populism are now deeply integrated, we must both examine the impact that conspiracy theories have on people’s understandings of the world and how populist politicians can appeal to these beliefs.
The book will be of interest to students and scholars of conspiracy theories, populism, and contemporary politics.
Preface 1. Understanding the Weaponization of Conspiracy Theories 2. Eurabia: The Great Replacement Conspiracy Theory in Europe 3. The Deep State Conspiracy Theory in the United States 4. Anti-Western Conspiracy Theories in Russia 5. Common Tropes in Weaponizing Conspiracy Theories
Biography
Eirikur Bergmann is a Professor of Politics at Bifröst University in Iceland. Author of 12 academic books and numerous journal articles, he writes mainly on Nationalism, Populism, and Conspiracy Theories. His books include Conspiracy & Populism: The Politics of Misinformation (2018) and Neo-Nationalism: The Rise of Nativist Populism (2020). He is also the author of three novels published in Icelandic.
'Eirikur Bergmann provides a compelling account of how political leaders in Europe, the US and Russia have strategically used conspiracy theories to boost their populist appeal. Whereas much recent research on conspiracy theories tends to view them as merely a fringe phenomenon or an effect of viral media, this book shows how politicians from Trump to Orban to Putin have weaponised fears about the Deep State, immigration and Western interference to mobilise popular support and undermine democracy. Written in clear and concise prose, Weaponizing Conspiracy Theories offers readers a sure-footed guide to our current conspiracism.'
Peter Knight, Professor, The University of Manchester, UK
