Understanding Conspiracy Theories

In 2016, Oxford Dictionaries declared “post-truth” its word of the year. Since then, authorities have proclaimed everything that disagrees with neo-liberalism as “misinformation”. Authorities mistrust John Q. Public, deeming him a “conspiracy theorist” too dangerous to tolerate in an open society—and the feeling is mutual.

Exploring Suspicion Culture

Much analysis has been done on the psychology of the conspiracy theorist, but little attention has been given to what psychologist Josh Neal calls suspicion culture—the generally suspicious mass society. In Understanding Conspiracy Theories, Neal provides a robust account of this phenomenon.

The True Danger of Conspiracy Theory

In this groundbreaking work, Neal reveals the real danger posed by conspiracy theories:

• Conspiracies can evolve into a folk account of history, undermining the cult of expertise.
• This process threatens the legitimacy of the sovereign center.
• Suspicion of official narratives must be eliminated at all costs, leading to the rise of totalitarianism.

A Vision Beyond the Current Dystopia

Instead of the current-year dystopia, Neal offers a secure basis for pluralism as an alternative to the liberal police state.

This book not only helps us understand conspiracy theories but also sheds light on:

• The true nature of liberalism.
• What steps we can take to address its challenges.