Étudier les théories du complot en sciences sociales : enjeux et usages

A “Conspiracy Theory” Conspiracy? A Mixed Methods Investigation of Laypeople’s Rejection (and Acceptance) of a Controversial Label

“…This debate is not limited to the academic world, as a seemingly common feature to every belief labelled as ' conspiracy theory' is that its advocates reject this qualification, which is perceived as stigmatizing (Franks et al, 2017;Giry, 2017;Harambam & Aupers, 2016). Ironically (but unsurprisingly), such rejection can take the form of a CT. For example, a relatively common CT is that the label ' conspiracy theory' was coined and disseminated by the CIA to discredit those who questioned the conclusions of the Warren commission after the JFK assassination (e.g., Corey's Digs, 2018;Tracy, 2013;Unz, 2019;Zero Hedge, 2015).…”

Conspiracy Theories in Political Science and Political Theory

“…Contrary to common assumptions, however, Review Copy -Not for Redistribution Julien Giry -University of Rennes -01/04/2020 conspiracism does not seem to be an expression of political ignorance (Nyhan 2012) and people 'who endorse conspiracy theories are not less informed about basic political facts than average citizens' (Oliver, Wood 2014: 964). In contrast to preconceived notions prevalent in the media (Locke 2009;Giry 2017a), conspiracy theory believers are not solely paranoid kooks or cranks, naive young people with little education and/or individuals from lower classes raised in economically deprived areas.…”

“…Consequently, conspiratorial thinking proceeds from a paradox that leads to a victim and accusatory pseudo-form of criticism. Despite the hypercritical claim that nothing -no institutions, no experts, no officials, etc., -can be trusted, conspiracy theories are meanwhile trapped into an infra-critical position in which the hypothesis of a conspiracy led by omnipotent evil enemies against innocent peoples is never questioned (Giry 2017a).…”

“…Conversely, a legitimate, even radical, form of social criticism must be on guard against the temptation of conspiratorial thinking (Corcuff 2009). Indeed, there are two difficulties that must be avoided in the study and appraisal of conspiracy theories from a political science point of view (Giry 2017a), which are, in fact, two sides of the same coin. On the one hand is a tendency to overextend the scope and use of the 'conspiracy theory' label intentionally to disqualify 2 a wide range of fringe political or social behaviours, beliefs or speeches criticising, for instance, the E.U., governments, big companies or the media.…”

Les fake news comme concept de sciences sociales

“…Au bout du compte, les explications par l'existence de raisons cachées, de liens souterrains, de forces occultes, de pactes secrets prétendent lever le voile sur une réalité prétendument dissimulée aux yeux du public. En somme, la démarche conspirationniste s'attache à recueillir et à ordonnancer en une trame unique et en apparence cohérente, à travers une rhétorique grandiloquente et catastrophiste, des faits et des événements épars et qui ne font a priori pas sens entre eux(Giry, 2017a). Par-delà leurs significations immédiates, l'intention est alors de montrer que les faits et les événements en question sont forcément liés car ils résultent d'une cause unique : le grand complot.…”