Overcoming conspiracy theories isn’t just about information. A scholar of religion explains that the emotions they inspire are part of their appeal.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Birther movement
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We need to interrogate how evidence might be used to do more than describe a conspiracy; it might work to maintain a certain status quo — in this case, anti-Black racism.
Some people are habitual conspiracy thinkers – there’s a plan behind everything, and it’s usually malevolent. One scientist set out to understand who is likely to ascribe to these theories.
We asked a group of scholars to listen to Clinton vs. Trump and pick just one quote to react to. Here’s what the experts heard.
The same forces that drive belief in conspiracy theories are the ones driving the rise of Donald Trump. So it’s no wonder that, less than two months until the election, he continues to dabble in and promote them.
The word may be new, but the first time the ‘birther’ political ploy was used was in the 1916 presidential elections.
Legal scholars agree: Cruz is eligible to run for president. But that fact won’t stop Trump and his other opponents from bringing up his Canadian birth.
Top contributors
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Global Scholar at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, DC and Hopkins P Breazeale Professor, Manship School of Mass Communications, Louisiana State University
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Professor of Law, Drake University
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Ph.D. candidate, Manship School of Mass Communication, Louisiana State University
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Director of External Research for frank, College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida
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Associate Professor of Economics, Dartmouth College
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Professor of International Affairs, Texas A&M University
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Samuel J. and Augusta Spector Professor of History and African and African American Studies, Brandeis University
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S. Walter Richey Professor of Corporate Law, University of Minnesota
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Associate Professor of Psychology, Union College
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PhD Candidate, Media Studies, Western University
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Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania
