Why the Powerful (in Weak States) Prefer Conspiracy Theories

Abstract

Why do politicians promote conspiracy theories in weak states? Not simply because they or their constituents believe them. Unlike established democracies, in which politics works through institutions, in weak states, politicians need to find alternative ways of advancing their agendas. Two steps are usually necessary for conspiracy theories to become prominent in political discourse: first, national narratives about insecurity make claims of conspiracy plausible. Second, when politicians cannot keep their internal struggles secret or when unexpected events occur, they are likely to make a decisive turn toward conspiracy-tinged rhetoric. This chapter shows how these factors operate with examples from Russia, Turkey, and Afghanistan.