ABSTRACT
Radicalisation is an influential and yet contested concept. There have been hundreds of accounts of radicalisation processes that have attempted to explain why both individuals and groups adopt extreme beliefs and, in some instances, engage in violence. There is no single pathway to radicalisation and so it would be wrong to say conspiracy beliefs are an inherent component of radicalisation. While conspiracy beliefs are important for some of those engaged in extremism, they are likely to be a marginal factor for others and belief in conspiracy theories is also extensive even among non-extremist groups and individuals. There is little research that has explicitly considered the role of conspiracy theories in radicalisation, but, where this has emerged as a theme, researchers have tended to argue that conspiracy belief can be used to amplify and justify hostility towards opponents (Berger 2018) as well as the need for extraordinary actions against them (Bartlett, Miller 2010). Even where conspiracy theory and radicalisation are not linked directly, there are clear points of connection between the two literatures. (Extremism, however, is not the same as populism and there is a wider literature on conspiracy theories within populist politics; see Chapter 3.6.) This chapter sets out to highlight three broad roles that conspiracy theories can play in radicalisation:
Conspiracy theories can provide clear and unambiguous narratives, structuring the world into ingroups and outgroups, reinforcing the sense of specialness that comes from having access to insider knowledge, and overall enhancing the appeal of extremist narratives.
Belief in conspiracy theories and radicalisation may be linked, in part, by shared psychological factors.
Conspiracy theories can work to enhance in-group bonding and insulate adherents from outside influences.
