Research Lexicon (sort of)
What you see is not always actual:      Controversial Topics to Explore: Conspiracy Theories Denotation--A conspiracy theory explains an event as being the result of an alleged plot by a covert group or organization or, more broadly, the idea that important political, social or economic events are the products of secret plots that are largely unknown to the general public.
Connotation--negative Appeal: 1) conspiracy theories claim to explain what institutional analysis cannot. They appear to make sense out of a world that is otherwise confusing. 2) they do so in an appealingly simple way, by dividing the world sharply between the forces of light, and the forces of darkness. They trace all evil back to a single source, the conspirators and their agents. 3) conspiracy theories are often presented as special, secret knowledge unknown or unappreciated by others. For conspiracy theorists, the masses are a brainwashed herd, while the conspiracy theorists in the know can congratulate themselves on penetrating the plotters' deceptions
(Micheal Barkun, political scientist) "Conspiracism is a particular narrative form of scapegoating that frames demonized enemies as part of a vast insidious plot against the common good, while it valorizes the scapegoater as a hero for sounding the alarm." --Berlet, Chip; Lyons, Matthew N. (2000). Right-Wing Populism in America: Too Close for Comfort. New York: Guilford Press. Folklore, Urban Legends, http://american.com/archive/2013/january/the-trouble-with-conspiracy-theoriesJFK Assassination UFOs/Area 51 Sea Monsters 9/11 Oil price fixing Illuminati Marilyn Monroe Elvis is alive Michael Jackson is alive Jimmy Hoffa Christ Death Shroud |
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