The Strategic Exploitation of Conspiracy Theories by Populist Leaders
Populist leaders have strategically exploited conspiracy theories as powerful political tools to shape national identities, delegitimise opponents, and consolidate their authority. This paper examines the historical genealogy of conspiratorial populism, tracing its evolution across distinct politica...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Genealogy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2313-5778/9/2/41 |
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| author | Eirikur Bergmann |
| author_facet | Eirikur Bergmann |
| author_sort | Eirikur Bergmann |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Populist leaders have strategically exploited conspiracy theories as powerful political tools to shape national identities, delegitimise opponents, and consolidate their authority. This paper examines the historical genealogy of conspiratorial populism, tracing its evolution across distinct political and economic crises from the 1970s to the present. Using a threefold analytical framework—(1) constructing external threats, (2) demonising domestic elites, and (3) positioning populists as the defenders of the “pure people”—the study demonstrates how conspiracy theories have been central to the rise and endurance of nativist populism. By analysing key historical waves—ranging from the economic turmoil of the 1970s, the collapse of communism, the post-9/11 security environment, the 2008 financial crisis, and the 2015 refugee crisis, to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical conflicts—this paper highlights how conspiratorial narratives have been repeatedly adapted to shifting socio-political contexts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-11dd34d6f28745cbb7d953bd0dea493c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2313-5778 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Genealogy |
| spelling | doaj-art-11dd34d6f28745cbb7d953bd0dea493c2025-08-20T03:24:40ZengMDPI AGGenealogy2313-57782025-04-01924110.3390/genealogy9020041The Strategic Exploitation of Conspiracy Theories by Populist LeadersEirikur Bergmann0Center for European Studies, Bifröst Research Center, Bifrost University, 311 Bifröst, IcelandPopulist leaders have strategically exploited conspiracy theories as powerful political tools to shape national identities, delegitimise opponents, and consolidate their authority. This paper examines the historical genealogy of conspiratorial populism, tracing its evolution across distinct political and economic crises from the 1970s to the present. Using a threefold analytical framework—(1) constructing external threats, (2) demonising domestic elites, and (3) positioning populists as the defenders of the “pure people”—the study demonstrates how conspiracy theories have been central to the rise and endurance of nativist populism. By analysing key historical waves—ranging from the economic turmoil of the 1970s, the collapse of communism, the post-9/11 security environment, the 2008 financial crisis, and the 2015 refugee crisis, to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical conflicts—this paper highlights how conspiratorial narratives have been repeatedly adapted to shifting socio-political contexts.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-5778/9/2/41conspiracy theoriespopulismnativismpolitical crisesweaponisation |
| spellingShingle | Eirikur Bergmann The Strategic Exploitation of Conspiracy Theories by Populist Leaders Genealogy conspiracy theories populism nativism political crises weaponisation |
| title | The Strategic Exploitation of Conspiracy Theories by Populist Leaders |
| title_full | The Strategic Exploitation of Conspiracy Theories by Populist Leaders |
| title_fullStr | The Strategic Exploitation of Conspiracy Theories by Populist Leaders |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Strategic Exploitation of Conspiracy Theories by Populist Leaders |
| title_short | The Strategic Exploitation of Conspiracy Theories by Populist Leaders |
| title_sort | strategic exploitation of conspiracy theories by populist leaders |
| topic | conspiracy theories populism nativism political crises weaponisation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2313-5778/9/2/41 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT eirikurbergmann thestrategicexploitationofconspiracytheoriesbypopulistleaders AT eirikurbergmann strategicexploitationofconspiracytheoriesbypopulistleaders |