Understand | conspiracy thinking

In a complex world where one crisis does not wait for another, the power of attraction of conspiracy theories is immense. But where do they come from and who is seduced by their ready-made answers? Co-holder of the UNESCO Chair in the Prevention of Radicalization and Violent Extremism, David Morin offers four sources for an incursion into the minds of conspiracy theorists.

A guide: an overview

Published by Que sais-je?, the book conspiracy theories by Pierre-André Taguieff is a “very good introduction to understanding conspiracy thinking”, observes David Morin. The author, philosopher, political scientist and historian, is a renowned conspiracy theorist in France.

In this “little book”, he focuses in particular on the rules of conspiratorial thinking (for which nothing happens by accident, for example) and on the functions of conspiracies, which respond to a quest for meaning. For David Morin, everyone has “a bit of conspiracy thinking” in them. Faced with phenomena that cause a feeling of loss of control, some grievances are valid and doubt is healthy.

However, a conspirator renounces doubt when he adopts a conspiracy theory. “The tipping point is when someone analyzes all social phenomena in the light of supposed conspiracies. A shift that can lead to isolation, even to the use of violence, with the aim of putting an end to the plot.

To deepen the reflection, the teacher suggests Conspiracy – Cognition, culture, societya scientific work by Sebastian Dieguez and Sylvain Delouvée which summarizes research work on the question, published by Mardaga.

conspiracy theories

Pierre-Andre Taguieff

What do I know?

128 pages

An essay: words of conspirators

With his test Inside the minds of conspiratorsthe journalist at World William Audureau transports readers “into the life of conspirators” during the pandemic in France. After having rubbed shoulders with them for a long time, he retraces their trajectory. “It’s very interesting, says David Morin, to see why these people ended up adhering” to conspiracy theories. A serious investigation told with a “very beautiful pen and humor”, which shows that the conspirators come from various backgrounds: from the identity right, anti-government movements and even alterscience.

Nevertheless, the conspirators are often located “at the extremes of the political spectrum, among those who never really take power and who can be frustrated”, specifies the professor. During the pandemic, he adds, a “reactionary right-wing ecosystem has been able to capitalize” on these frustrations to promote its ideas.

In order to explore the discourse of Quebec conspirators, David Morin suggests the podcast show Beliefsby Simon Coutu, on OHdio, as well as the book Do your researchfrom the journalist of The Press Tristan Péloquin, published by Quebec America.

“Research shows that 6% to 9% of the population strongly adheres to conspiracy theories,” recalls the professor. It’s a minority, but it’s not marginal. »

Inside the minds of conspirators

William Audureau

Allary Editions

320 pages

A podcast show: one theory at a time…

From The Protocols of the Elders of Zion to 9/11 or the pandemic, to QAnon and even the great replacement, the conspiracy theories are multiple, elaborate and… fascinating. How were they born? Who wore them? In his podcast Mechanics of conspiracyFrance Culture examines some of the most famous of them, from the formation of the Jesuit order in Paris in 1534.

In some circles, these clerics are accused of starting wars or assassinating leaders to control the world. In their pay, Pope Francis would organize the migratory invasion of the West… Each episode lasts about fifteen minutes.

“For someone who wants to better evaluate these theories, what they mean is easy,” says David Morin. He can say to himself: “While jogging, I will try to understand the theories related to 9/11.” »

A few episodes scrutinize the QAnon movement, which made a lot of noise in the United States, in particular because Donald Trump relayed elements of it. HBO has also devoted an excellent documentary series to this movement according to which the world is ruled by a paedo-Satanist clique, adds David Morin. You can see Q: Into the Stormwith French subtitles, on Crave.

One film: one event, 50 plots

“The assassination of JFK is one of the events that has given rise to the most conspiracy theories,” notes David Morin, who is amused to note that a single fact can generate 50 theories to explain it. In his feature film jfk released in 1991, director Oliver Stone dwells on one of these theories, that of Louisiana prosecutor Jim Garrison, according to whom Kennedy was the victim of a coup d’etat hatched in particular by the CIA.

In 1969, after a long investigation, Jim Garrison sued Clay Shaw, implicated in the plot according to him. However, the businessman was acquitted. Hugely popular, the film earned Oliver Stone to be called a conspirator, recalls Mr. Morin.

According to him, jfk shows how, despite solid evidence, some theories stand the test of facts. This is especially true in the United States, believes the professor. “It comes from a mistrust vis-à-vis the American federal state, he says.

The line is sometimes gray between real conspiracies (like those of the CIA in Nicaragua or that of January 6, planned by Trump supporters) and conspiracy theories. jfk is an interesting case study. ” We can rent jfk on many platforms, including Apple, Amazon and YouTube.