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Authoritarianism and conspiracism around the world

Author

Listed:
  • Valerie Capraro

    (University of Milan-Bicocca)

  • Folca Panizza

    (IMT School for Advanced Studies)

  • Joseph A. Vitriol

    (Lehigh University)

  • Mikey Biddlestone

    (University of Kent)

  • Andrè Krouwe

    (Vrije University)

  • Yordan Kutiyski

    (Kieskompas)

  • Alberto López Ortega
  • Ana Ebert

    (The Psychology of Political Behavior Studies)

  • Max Wan

    (The Psychology of Political Behavior Studies)

  • Jasmin M. L. Hagemann

    (The Psychology of Political Behavior Studies)

  • Sophie Hetche

    (The Psychology of Political Behavior Studies)

  • André Kaiser

    (TUniversity of Cologne)

  • Praveen Kujal

    (Middlesex University and Chapman University)

  • Karen M. Douglas

    (University of Kent)

  • Christopher M. Federico

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Jolanda Jetten

    (University of Queensland)

  • Sander Van Der Linden

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Flávio Azevedo

    (Utrecht University)

Abstract

Authoritarian leaders frequently deploy conspiracy narratives to justify power concentration and delegitimize opponents, yet the link between authoritarianism and conspiracism remains underresearched. Integrating data across six studies from multiple international surveys (N=63,403; 20 countries), expert-coded party systems (71 countries; 14 datasets), and longitudinal panel studies, we demonstrate that individuals with stronger authoritarian orientations are consistently more prone to conspiracism across diverse cultures, political contexts, and time. These results remain robust when controlling for populist attitudes and multiple political, psychological, and demographic variables. The link between authoritarianism and conspiracism appears to constitute a durable and generalizable psychological relationship. This may help explain why conspiratorial narratives and authoritarian politics so often co-occur, with important implications for democratic resilience in an era of rising institutional distrust, anti-scientific attitudes, misinformation, and post-truth politics.

Suggested Citation

  • Valerie Capraro & Folca Panizza & Joseph A. Vitriol & Mikey Biddlestone & Andrè Krouwe & Yordan Kutiyski & Alberto López Ortega & Ana Ebert & Max Wan & Jasmin M. L. Hagemann & Sophie Hetche & André, 2026. "Authoritarianism and conspiracism around the world," Working Papers 26-03, Chapman University, Economic Science Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:chu:wpaper:26-03
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    File URL: https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/esi_working_papers/434/
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    JEL classification:

    • D9 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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