Library:A Lot of People Are Saying
| A Lot of People Are Saying: The New Conspiracism and the Assault on Democracy | |
|---|---|
| Author | Russell Muirhead & Nancy L. Rosenblum |
| First published | 2019 |
| ISBN | — |
| Role | Analysis |
| Domains | Politics & Elections |
| Tactics | Conspiracy Theory Propaganda Technique |
A Lot of People Are Saying: The New Conspiracism and the Assault on Democracy is a 2019 book by Russell Muirhead & Nancy L. Rosenblum.
Summary
Political theorists Russell Muirhead of Dartmouth and Nancy Rosenblum of Harvard distinguish traditional conspiracy theories, which try to explain events with evidence, however flawed, from a "new conspiracism" that offers no theory at all.
Key points
- Conspiracy without theory. The new conspiracism relies on bare assertion and repetition, captured in phrases like "a lot of people are saying."
- Validation by repetition. Claims gain credibility by being shared rather than by being supported.
- Delegitimation. The authors argue this style attacks the legitimacy of democratic institutions, such as elections, courts and the press.
Relevance to Bullshitopedia
The book helps explain claims that spread without evidence, especially claims of stolen elections and hidden plots.