At the heart of every conspiracy theory is a supposed group of conspirators. This group is usually a minority or a hidden “elite” said to hold significant influence. They are accused of secretly manipulating events or social developments for their own benefit – while causing harm to the general public.
Conspiracy theories – also referred to as conspiracy myths, narratives, or ideologies – aim to simplify complex issues by reducing them to seemingly clear and straightforward explanations. To appear more credible, they often include elements of truth. But they are built on assumptions and connect ideas in ways that often diverge significantly from widely accepted facts or reality.
Conspiracy theories are not new. They have appeared throughout history and across cultures. However, they tend to spread more rapidly during times of crisis – especially when political, economic, or social change creates uncertainty. In such situations, conspiracy theories offer a false sense of clarity and control.
By reducing every topic to a simple battle between “good” and “evil.”
Those who believe in conspiracy theories usually see themselves as being on the side of the “good” – people who claim to reveal “inconvenient truths” and to know the “absolute truth.” They often view themselves as protectors of an unaware majority, working to stop the conspirators' alleged plans for the sake of everyone else.
