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Conspiracism: Archaeology and morphology of a political myth

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2024

Julien Giry
Julien Giry*
Affiliation:
Université de Rennes 1, France
*
Julien Giry, Université de Rennes 1, Faculté de droit et de science politique, 9 Rue Jean Macé CS 54203, 35042 Rennes, France Email: juliengiry.sciencepo@gmail.com
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Abstract

Through an empirical approach of several conspiracy theories (Knight Templars, Jesuits, Illuminati, Free-masons or Jewish conspiracy), I have noticed they develop six main characteristics. First, the conspiratorial myth points out scapegoats in a non-aleatory way. They usually belong to ethnical or religious minorities. Secondly, those scapegoats try to acquire an overwhelming power in all fields. Thirdly, to achieve this goal, they corrupt the whole society, especially on mores and sexuality. Fourthly, to set up their domination the scapegoats use the art of simulation and dissimulation. They yield a cult of secrecy. Fifthly, the scapegoats are consistently portrayed through symbolic morphological types, frequently as animals. Finally, conspiratorial myths undergo a process of hybridization and creolization. They go through transformations, alterations and medleys. Every conspiracy theories mix up into one another.

Keywords

Conspiracy theorypolitical mythantisemitismantimassonismfunctionalism
Type
Theoretical approaches
Information
Diogenes , Volume 62 , Issue 3-4: Conspiracy Theories Today , November 2015 , pp. 30 - 37
Copyright
Copyright © ICPHS 2020

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