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Conspiracy theories

Conspiracy theories - Laurie Taylor explores their origin and evolution and considers the extent to which certain countries and people are more inclined to believe in them.

Conspiracy theories: Laurie Taylor talks to Thomas Konda, Professor of Political Science at SUNY, Plattsburgh, about the history and changing nature of conspiracy theories. Why have such wild theories overrun America? Also, Hugo Leal, Methods Fellow at the University of Cambridge discusses the most comprehensive examination of conspiracy theories ever conducted. About 11,500 people were surveyed in a study covered nine countries - the US, Britain (excluding Northern Ireland), Poland, Italy, France, Germany, Portugal, Sweden and Hungary. The research found that Trump and Brexit voters were more likely to believe in conspiracy theories than others.

Producer: Jayne Egerton

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Mon 13 May 201900:15
BBC Radio 4

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GUESTS

Thomas Milan Konda is Emeritus Professor of Political Science at SUNY Plattsburgh

Hugo Leal at the Cambridge Digital Humanities 

READING LIST AND RELATED LINKS

Conspiracies of Conspiracies - How Delusions Have Overrun America by Thomas Milan Konda, (University of Chicago Press, 2019)

Conspiracy and Democracy Project at CRASSH, Cambridge

Broadcasts

  • Wed 8 May 201916:00
    BBC Radio 4 FM
  • Mon 13 May 201900:15
    BBC Radio 4

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