Description
There is an increasing recognition of the link between conspiracy theories, violent extremist intentions, and their function in bridging extremist ideas, narratives, and scenes. Conspiracy theories, commonly driven by (perceived) grievances and fear, are postulated through narratives of threat that resonate with perceptions of injustice. More recently, conspiracy theories have increasingly surfaced in post-ideological, post-organizational extremist and non-extremist scenes, and they are often used to delegitimize governments, politicians, 'the elite,' and democratic institutions. Conspiracy theories are not a new phenomenon as they have endured for centuries, transcending time and permeating across generations. These theories have historically served as catalysts for the persecution of marginalized groups and minorities. This paper presents empirical findings of the frame analysis of (online) mobilization strategies implemented by contemporary QAnon and far-right terrorist attacks and compares them to historical defamation campaigns against Freemasons, alleged Witches, and Jews (blood libel). The frame analysis reveals that there are five key ingredients to successful conspiracy mobilizations: two kinds of resonating threat narratives, times of crisis, new means of communication, malicious single actors and renegades’ knowledge.
