A the new conspiracism and the assault on democracy Muirhead, Russell 1965- creator Rosenblum, Nancy L. (Nancy Lipton) 1947- text bibliography nju 2019 monographic eng

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ix, 211 pages ; 23 cm Conspiracy theories are as old as politics. But conspiracists today have introduced something new - conspiracy without theory. And the new conspiracism has moved from the fringes to the heart of government with the election of Donald Trump. Russell Muirhead and Nancy Rosenblum show how the new conspiracism differs from classic conspiracy theory, why so few officials speak truth to conspiracy, and what needs to be done to resist it. Classic conspiracy theory insists that things are not what they seem and gathers evidence - especially facts ominously withheld by official sources - to tease out secret machinations. The new conspiracism is different. There is no demand for evidence, no dots revealed to form a pattern, no close examination of shadowy plotters. Dispensing with the burden of explanation, the new conspiracism imposes its own reality through repetition (exemplified by the Trump catchphrase "a lot of people are saying") and bare assertion ("rigged!"). The new conspiracism targets democratic foundations - political parties and knowledge-producing institutions. It makes it more difficult to argue, persuade, negotiate, compromise, and even to disagree. Ultimately, it delegitimates democracy. Filled with vivid examples, A Lot of People Are Saying diagnoses a defining and disorienting feature of today's politics and offers a guide to responding to the threat. Section I. The new conspiracism. Conspiracy without the theory -- It's true enough -- Presidential conspiracism -- Section II. Delegitimating democracy. Political parties -- Knowledge -- Who owns reality? -- Section III. Defending democracy. Speaking truth. -- Conclusion: The crisis of democracy. Russell Muirhead, Nancy L. Rosenblum. Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-200) and index. n-us--- Conspiracy theories Political aspects United States Truthfulness and falsehood Political aspects United States Democracy United States Teorías de la conspiración Estados Unidos Conspiraciones Teorías Democracia Estados Unidos Conspiracy theories Democracy Politics and government Politische Kommunikation Verschwörung Suggestion Behauptung Gemeinplatz Verschwörungstheorie Glaubwürdigkeit Demokratie United States Politics and government 21st century Estados Unidos Política y gobierno Siglo XXI United States USA JK 275 M953l 2019 320.973 0691188831 (hardcover) 9780691188836 (hardcover) 2018957712 YDX 180910 20230805181425.0 20663858 eng