Conspiracy Theories as Ideology

Abstract

This chapter deals with the question: What is a conspiracy theory? It provides a concept of conspiracy theories and situates conspiracy theories in the context of COVID-19.

In order to understand how COVID-19 conspiracy theories work, one requires a theoretical concept of conspiracy theories. The developed understanding is especially grounded in Frankfurt School critical theory. Section 2 of this chapter works out a critical theory concept of conspiracy theories. Section 3 is an introduction to the communication of COVID-19 conspiracy theories.

Citation

Fuchs, C. (2021), "Conspiracy Theories as Ideology", Communicating COVID-19 (Society Now), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 63-89. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-720-720211005