Legal Conspiracy Theories: How the System Is Rigged Against Victims

Conspiracy theories are big in American politics and culture. Studies show everyone believes in at least one, but that doesn’t mean they’re true. Over the last decade, about 55% of Americans have believed in these theories.

The news media talks about them a lot. They try to prove they’re wrong, but this might make people believe them even more. This can hurt trust in the truth.

Key Takeaways:

Conspiracy theories are narratives that include attributions of blame and accusations of unethical, criminal behavior.
Conspiracy theories are built under conditions of uncertainty, often based on unproven assumptions of unethical behaviors that are concealed.
Approximately 55% of Americans believe in popular and unfounded conspiracy theories.
The news media’s attempts at debunking conspiracy theories may reinforce misplaced beliefs and perpetuate public trust in them.
Conspiracy theories are rooted in a distrust of large institutions and offer simplistic explanations for complex societal issues.

The Prevalence of Conspiracy Theories in Modern Society

Many think conspiracy theories are getting more common, but research shows they’ve stayed about the same for decades. Times like the 1890s and the 1950s Red Scare saw more of them. But, the data shows conspiracy theories aren’t a new thing in our world.

Studies reveal that some people are naturally more likely to believe in them. The media and politicians talking about them a lot makes it seem like they’re everywhere. But, the facts don’t back up the idea that more people believe in them now.

Debunking the Myth: Conspiracy Theories Are Not on the Rise

Even with all the talk about them, conspiracy theories haven’t really grown in number. In 2004, 49% of New Yorkers thought the U.S. government was involved in the 9/11 attacks. Also, 37% of Americans believed the FDA was hiding natural cures because of big pharma.

These numbers show conspiracy theories have been around for a long time. A big part of the population has always believed in them. The feeling that they’re more common might come from the media and politicians, but the real number hasn’t changed much.

It’s key to understand that believing in conspiracy theories isn’t a new thing. It’s a part of our society that’s always been here. By getting the facts right, we can tackle the problems they cause in our discussions and decisions.

Defining Legal Conspiracy and Its Consequences

A legal conspiracy is when a group secretly works together to harm others or break their rights. It’s different from conspiracy theories, which are often not proven. Conspiracy theories can harm beliefs and choices but might also reveal real conspiracies through journalism.

In criminal law, a conspiracy needs an agreement between two or more to commit a crime later. This agreement is seen as the guilty act. The law also requires at least one action to move forward with the conspiracy.

The penalties for legal conspiracy are serious. Section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 says someone guilty of conspiracy agrees to a plan that will break the law. Section 1A of the same act makes conspiracies involving acts outside the UK illegal if they break laws in that country.

Key Aspects of Legal Conspiracy	Implications
Agreement between two or more individuals	Liability for conspiracy generally requires a voluntary agreement between multiple parties
Intention to commit a serious crime	The agreement must be intentional, and the objective must be related to obtaining a financial or material gain
Overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy	In many jurisdictions, an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy is necessary for it to be considered a punishable offense

The penalties for legal conspiracy are severe, as it’s a key part of organized crime. The Organized Crime Convention says the goal of the agreement must be to get financial or material gain.

In the past, people were charged with conspiracy, like Communist Party members in 1948 for planning to overthrow the government. Recently, in 2023, former President Donald Trump was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States over the 2020 election.

“Conspiracy occurs when two or more individuals agree to commit a crime, a fundamental aspect of organized crime.”

The Psychology Behind Believing in legal conspiracy

It’s important to understand why people believe in conspiracy theories. Our brains tend to think most information is true. We also get emotionally attached to our beliefs and want our worldviews to be consistent. These factors help explain why conspiracy theories stick around.

Six Reasons Why People Trust Conspiracy Theories

There are psychological reasons why people believe in conspiracy theories. These reasons make it hard to change their minds. Let’s look at six main reasons:

Base Rate Neglect: People often ignore the overall probability of an event. This makes them think conspiracy theories are more likely than they are.
Emotional Attachment: Beliefs that match our identities can make us feel strongly. We might not want to change our minds, even when faced with evidence that contradicts us.
Desire for Consistency: We all want a clear and consistent view of the world. This leads us to choose explanations that fit our current beliefs, even if they’re not supported by facts.
Availability Heuristic: We judge an event’s likelihood based on how easily we can remember similar events. This can make us think conspiracy theories are more common than they are.
Confirmation Bias: We look for information that confirms our beliefs and ignore evidence that doesn’t. This makes it hard to change our minds.
System Justification: Some people need to believe that the current systems are fair and just. This can make them accept conspiracy theories that support the status quo.

Knowing these psychological factors is key to fighting conspiracy theories. By understanding why people believe in them, we can promote critical thinking. This helps us see the world more clearly and based on evidence.

Manifestations of Victimhood: Egocentric and Systemic

Victimhood can be seen in two ways: egocentric and systemic. Egocentric victimhood is when people feel they deserve more than they get. Systemic victimhood is when they believe the system is against them.

These types of victimhood are not just for certain groups. They affect many people, regardless of their political views or background. Both types are linked to how people think politically, but they are different from other ideas like narcissism and feeling left out.

Egocentric Victimhood	Systemic Victimhood
Feeling entitled to more than one deserves	Believing the system is rigged against the individual
Linked to political attitudes and behavior	Linked to political attitudes and behavior
Distinct from narcissism, system justification, and relative deprivation	Distinct from narcissism, system justification, and relative deprivation

Here are some interesting facts about victimhood:

56% of Republicans think we might need to use force to save the American way of life.
22% of Democrats and 35% of independents also worry about the American way of life disappearing.
There’s a record low in political trust.

These numbers show that victimhood is a complex issue. It needs more study and understanding.

“A majority of Americans recognized the potential impact of heated political rhetoric on the prospect of political violence.”

The Role of Political Elites in Cueing Victimhood

Political elites often make people feel like. This can distract from defending oneself and focus on the “accuser.” Politicians use this to show how important these feelings are in making political choices. This way of elites exploiting victimhood affects both parties and changes how people think and act politically.

Studies link “Christian nationalism” to supporting violence. Feeling like a victim, strong racial and religious beliefs, and believing in conspiracy theories can grow from these cues. These beliefs can lead to supporting violence, especially if someone feels white, victimized, or supports QAnon.

Christian nationalism mixes a religious view of America’s start with apocalyptic views on threats to its Christian heritage.
Research shows a connection between Christian nationalism and supporting Trump, racism, anti-immigrant views, anti-Islamic feelings, views on same-sex unions, COVID-19 responses, tolerance of police violence against African-Americans, and opposition to gun control.
Support for conspiracies, like QAnon, is linked to religious symbols and imagery. QAnon stories use end-of-the-world and good vs. evil themes.

Statistic	Description
Results from original survey data collected after the Capitol attacks	Show a positive relationship between identified factors such as victimhood, racial and religious identities, support for conspiracies, and the support for the Capitol riot.
Initial evidence	Suggests a link between Christian nationalism, support for the QAnon movement, and related conspiracy theories.

“Perceived victimhood, reinforcing racial and religious identities, and support for conspiratorial information sources can be exacerbated by elite cues, translating beliefs in Christian nationalism into support for political violence.”

legal conspiracy and Its Impact on Political Attitudes

Conspiracy theories greatly affect how people think and act politically. Research shows that feeling like a victim can sway support for certain candidates and policies.

Those who believe they are unfairly targeted often support politicians like Donald Trump. On the other hand, people who think the system is rigged against them tend to oppose such candidates.

These victimhood feelings also shape opinions on racial policies and racial resentment. It shows how legal conspiracy theories and victimhood can deeply influence political attitudes and behavior.

Conspiracy Belief	Political Attitude	Example
Egocentric Victimhood	Support for Trump-like candidates	Belief that the system is rigged against them personally
Systemic Victimhood	Decreased support for Trump-like candidates	Belief that the system is rigged against certain groups in society

The effect of conspiracy theories on political attitudes is complex. It’s important to understand this to navigate today’s polarized politics and make better choices.

“Feelings of victimhood also relate to attitudes about racial policies and racial resentment, reflecting the belief that others benefit disproportionately or unjustly at the victim’s expense.”

Conclusion

In summary, conspiracy theories and victimhood are big in American politics and society. Even though these beliefs haven’t grown much, the media and politicians have made them seem more common. This makes it seem like they’re getting worse.

Feeling like a victim can really change how people think about politics. It can affect who they support and what policies they want. This shows why we need to understand and tackle this issue to improve our political talks and decisions.

Thinking about legal conspiracy theories and their role in America is complex. It’s a topic that makes us think deeply. By looking closely at all the factors, we can gain a better understanding. This will help us see how it affects our society.

FAQ

What are legal conspiracy theories?

Legal conspiracy theories are claims of secret plans that harm others. They lack proof needed for legal action.

Are conspiracy theories becoming more prevalent in society?

No, the number of conspiracy theories hasn’t really changed. They were more common in the 1890s and the 1950s. People think they’re more common now because the media and politicians talk about them more.

What is the definition of a legal conspiracy?

A legal conspiracy is when a group secretly works together to harm others. Conspiracy theories, on the other hand, don’t have solid proof.

Why do people believe in conspiracy theories?

Many reasons make people stick to conspiracy theories. Our brains tend to believe most information. We also get emotionally attached to our beliefs. And we like our worldviews to be consistent.

What are the different forms of perceived victimhood?

There are two kinds of victimhood. Egocentric is when you feel you deserve more. Systemic is when you think the system is against you.

How do political elites exploit perceptions of victimhood?

Politicians use victimhood to their advantage. They make their supporters feel victimized. This shifts focus from defending themselves to making the “accuser” defend their claims.

How do conspiracy theories and perceptions of victimhood impact political attitudes and behavior?

Victimhood feelings, both kinds, affect who people support and what policies they back. They also shape views on racial policies and racial resentment.