A Lot of People Are Saying : The New Conspiracism and the Assault on Democracy

This book identifies a new type of conspiracism which has emerged in recent years and which aims not to explain, but to undermine and delegitamize the institions of government. **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. 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. 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. Section I. The New Conspiracism. Conspiracy Without Theory -- It's True Enough -- Presidential Conspiracism -- Section Ii. Delegitimating Democracy. Political Parties -- Knowledge -- Who Owns Reality? -- Section Iii. Defending Democracy. Speaking Truth. -- Conclusion: The Crisis Of Democracy. Russell Muirhead, Nancy L. Rosenblum. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. How the new conspiracists are undermining democracy--and what can be done about itConspiracy 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 (Résumé de l'éditeur) "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"--Publisher's description

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. InA Lot of People Are Saying, Russell Muirhead and Nancy Rosenblum show how the new conspiracism differs from classic conspiracy theory, how it undermines democracy, and what needs to be done to resist it 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, how it undermines democracy, and what needs to be done to resist it. Copyright CONTENTS Preface Preface to the Paperback Edition Preface Introduction SECTION I. THE NEW CONSPIRACISM 1 Conspiracy without the Theory 2 It’s True Enough 3 Presidential Conspiracism SECTION II. DELEGITIMATING DEMOCRACY 4 Po litical Parties 5 Knowledge 6 Who Owns Real ity? SECTION III DEFENDING DEMOCRACY 7 Speaking Truth Conclusion: The Crisis of Democracy NOTES Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Conclusion Back Matter ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INDEX "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, how it undermines democracy, and what needs to be done to resist it." -- Amazon.com