Conspiracy Theories, Powerlessness and Power

CONSPIRACY THEORIES, POWERLESSNESS AND POWER
Too often, conspiracy thinking is allowed to present itself as societal criticism. For some, of course, conspiracy theories offer an explanation for feelings of alienation, powerlessness or despair; and a tool for criticising real or perceived elites. Paradoxically, however, conspiracy theories are also weapons, employed by people in power to weaken criticism or - indeed - to undermine liberal democracy itself.