ABSTRACT
Do conspiracy theorists believe in their theories? Are conspiracy theories the delusions of obsessed minds or are they sinisterly crafted by ambitious and manipulative actors, or something in between? This is an ongoing debate within the expanding field of conspiracy theory studies. This chapter will not argue that conspiracy theories are deliberate machinations, but will instead seek to demonstrate the underlying logic of conspiracy theories pervading non-democratic countries – deliberately or unknowingly – reinforcing the authoritarian character of the regimes.
