A Lot of People Are Saying

The New Conspiracism and the Assault on Democracy

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Political, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book A Lot of People Are Saying by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead ISBN: 9780691190068
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: April 16, 2019
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
ISBN: 9780691190068
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: April 16, 2019
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

How the new conspiracists are undermining democracy—and what can be done about it

Conspiracy theories are as old as politics. But conspiracists today have introduced something new—conspiracy without theory. And the new conspiracism has moved from the fringes to the heart of government with the election of Donald Trump. In A Lot of People Are Saying, Russell Muirhead and Nancy Rosenblum show how the new conspiracism differs from classic conspiracy theory, why so few officials speak truth to conspiracy, and what needs to be done to resist it.

Classic conspiracy theory insists that things are not what they seem and gathers evidence—especially facts ominously withheld by official sources—to tease out secret machinations. The new conspiracism is different. There is no demand for evidence, no dots revealed to form a pattern, no close examination of shadowy plotters. Dispensing with the burden of explanation, the new conspiracism imposes its own reality through repetition (exemplified by the Trump catchphrase "a lot of people are saying") and bare assertion ("rigged!").

The new conspiracism targets democratic foundations—political parties and knowledge-producing institutions. It makes it more difficult to argue, persuade, negotiate, compromise, and even to disagree. Ultimately, it delegitimates democracy.

Filled with vivid examples, A Lot of People Are Saying diagnoses a defining and disorienting feature of today's politics and offers a guide to responding to the threat.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How the new conspiracists are undermining democracy—and what can be done about it

Conspiracy theories are as old as politics. But conspiracists today have introduced something new—conspiracy without theory. And the new conspiracism has moved from the fringes to the heart of government with the election of Donald Trump. In A Lot of People Are Saying, Russell Muirhead and Nancy Rosenblum show how the new conspiracism differs from classic conspiracy theory, why so few officials speak truth to conspiracy, and what needs to be done to resist it.

Classic conspiracy theory insists that things are not what they seem and gathers evidence—especially facts ominously withheld by official sources—to tease out secret machinations. The new conspiracism is different. There is no demand for evidence, no dots revealed to form a pattern, no close examination of shadowy plotters. Dispensing with the burden of explanation, the new conspiracism imposes its own reality through repetition (exemplified by the Trump catchphrase "a lot of people are saying") and bare assertion ("rigged!").

The new conspiracism targets democratic foundations—political parties and knowledge-producing institutions. It makes it more difficult to argue, persuade, negotiate, compromise, and even to disagree. Ultimately, it delegitimates democracy.

Filled with vivid examples, A Lot of People Are Saying diagnoses a defining and disorienting feature of today's politics and offers a guide to responding to the threat.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Numerical Algorithms for Personalized Search in Self-organizing Information Networks by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book Blue Skies over Beijing by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book Slicing Pizzas, Racing Turtles, and Further Adventures in Applied Mathematics by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book Exile, Ostracism, and Democracy by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book The Birth of Hedonism by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book Game Theory Evolving by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book The Minds of Marginalized Black Men by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book Augustine's Confessions by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book After Hegemony by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book Pursuits of Wisdom by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book The Grammar of Ornament by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book Hasidism and Modern Man by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book Peddling Protectionism by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book Selling Women Short by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
Cover of the book Fighting for the Speakership by Nancy L. Rosenblum, Russell Muirhead
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy