In recent years conspiracy theories have become a hot subject of debate. No longer confined to its own fringe subculture, ‘conspiracism’ – the belief that secret agendas and cabals drive geopolitical and global economic events – is having a real impact politically and socially, as seen with the rise of QAnon and the various allegations about Covid-19 and vaccinations. As a result, conspiracy theories are now the focus of studies by sociologists, psychologists, cultural historians and political scientists, all attempting to answer the important questions they raise. Clive offers his particular take on the subject from his own unique perspective, addressing questions such as: Who is most likely to believe in conspiracy theories – and why? Are they always false or is there sometimes something to them? How can we tell a conspiracy theory from a genuine conspiracy? What characterises a successful theory? How can they be countered? And most fundamental of all, just what is a conspiracy theory?
