Towards a Definition of Conspiracy Theories

Abstract

Before conspiracy theories can be meaningfully examined within their appropriate social, historical and ideological context, it is necessary to spend a bit more time furnishing a working definition of the phenomenon, and in doing so set the basic parameters for the forthcoming discussion. At first sight, the meaning of the term ‘conspiracy theory’ might seem obvious. The word ‘conspiracy’ is well established in the English language. Derived from the Latin conspirare, meaning ‘to breath together’, it signifies the joining together of two or more individuals and their acting in collusion to achieve a desired outcome. Phrases such as ‘conspiracy to commit murder’, ‘conspiracy to defraud’ and ‘conspiracy to commit genocide’ are enshrined in legal systems around the world and refer to offences involving an arrangement or a joint endeavour to perpetrate a crime. In the broadest sense, therefore, a conspiracy theory would be an explanation, either speculative or evidence-based, which attributes the causes of an event to a conspiracy or a plot (Keeley, 1999, Basham, 2003).

We must speak the truth about terror. Let us never tolerate outrageous conspiracy theories concerning the attacks on September 11, malicious lies that attempt to shift blame away from terrorists themselves, away from the guilty.

—US President George W. Bush

speaking at the United Nations, 10 November 2001

People can reach different conclusions, but for heaven’s sake let’s do away with all these conspiracy theories that it was about oil, it was about George Bush telling Tony Blair what to do…

—Alistair Campbell

Tony Blair’s Director of Communications

between 1997 and 2003, speaking before the

War Crimes Inquiry, 12 January 2010