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Conspiracies, Ideological Entrepreneurs, and Digital Popular Culture

Author

Listed:
  • Aaron Hyzen

    (Department of Communication Studies, Antwerp University, Belgium)

  • Hilde Van den Bulck

    (Department of Communication, Drexel University, USA)

Abstract

This contribution starts from the contemporary surge in conspiracism to develop a theoretical framework to understand how conspiracy theories make it from the margins to the mainstream. To this end, it combines a view of conspiracy theories as ideology and its propagandists as ideological entrepreneurs with insights into how the affordances of digital media and popular culture are instrumental in propagating the conspiracy theories. It further complements sociological and psychological explanations with a fandom perspective to grasp the diversity of conspiracy audiences. Together, it is argued, these factors allow ideological entrepreneurs to push conspiracy theories from the margins to the mainstream. Alex Jones and QAnon are discussed as cases in point.

Suggested Citation

  • Aaron Hyzen & Hilde Van den Bulck, 2021. "Conspiracies, Ideological Entrepreneurs, and Digital Popular Culture," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(3), pages 179-188.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:meanco:v:9:y:2021:i:3:p:179-188
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