Why People Believe in Conspiracy Theories

Why People Believe in Conspiracy Theories
(Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images)

“The paradox of believing in conspiracy theories is that—despite the distrust and paranoia reflected in them—adherents often deeply desire a sense of order in the world.“

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Publisher's Note:

This work is preserved in Merion West’s archive of articles and poems published from 2016 through early 2025. Explore the archive