Library:American Conspiracy Theories
| American Conspiracy Theories | |
|---|---|
| Author | Joseph E. Uscinski & Joseph M. Parent |
| First published | 2014 |
| ISBN | — |
| Role | Analysis |
| Domains | Politics & Elections History |
| Tactics | Conspiracy Theory |
American Conspiracy Theories is a 2014 book by Joseph E. Uscinski & Joseph M. Parent.
Summary
Political scientists Joseph Uscinski and Joseph Parent analyzed more than 100,000 letters to the editor of The New York Times from 1890 to 2010, along with survey data, to measure conspiracy beliefs in America over time.
Key points
- No golden age. Conspiracy theorizing has not steadily increased; it rises and falls.
- "Conspiracy theories are for losers." Groups out of power tend to embrace conspiracy theories about those in power, so the targets shift with elections.
- Both sides. Conspiracy belief exists across the political spectrum, with each side suspecting the other.
Relevance to Bullshitopedia
The book offers data-driven context for the political conspiracy theories in Bullshitopedia and shows why they appear on all sides.