Conspiracy theory, neoliberalism, and the crisis of democracy

• Department of Economics
• Department of History
• Department of Law
• Max Weber Programme for Postdoctoral Studies
• Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies
• Department of Political and Social Sciences
• Florence School of Transnational Governance
• Development and External Relations Service
• Crisis of Expert Knowledge and Authority

This event is organised by the Expert Knowledge and Authority in Transformative Times Interdisciplinary Research Cluster.

Disinformation, fake news, and conspiracy theories are often presented as a threat to democracy and a major factor in the current crisis of expertise. Information watchdogs, debunking outlets, and public institutions dedicate vast resources to the management of the information environment. But when did we start considering conspiracy theories as a threat to democracy? And what, exactly, is a conspiracy theory ?

By taking a close look at the emergence of this notion in the mid-20th century, this talk will challenge current wisdom about conspiracy theories and outline an alternative perspective in which they are inherent to the political and epistemic dispensation that defines today’s liberal democracies.