hugo drochon

Dr Hugo Leal (University of Cambridge) and Dr Hugo Drochon (University of Nottingham) Brexit and Conspiracy Theories (Public Launch)

Dr Hugo Leal (University of Cambridge) and Dr Hugo Drochon (University of Nottingham) Brexit and Conspiracy Theories (Public Launch)

Conspiracy theories usually arouse scepticism. Yet when we confront them 'in the flesh,' they can appear - at least on first sight - strangely persuasive. Join a discussion about the strategies conspiracies use in making their pitch for plausibility and staking their claim to truth. Organised by the Conspiracy & Democracy project at CRASSH. In the abstract and as a generic class, conspiracy theories arouse scepticism. Yet sometimes when we actually confront a conspiracy theory 'in the flesh,' they can appear - at least on first sight - strangely persuasive. What strategies do these narratives employ in making their pitch for plausibility and staking their claim to be true. The Conspiracy and Democracy Team has been conducting research at CRASSH for the last four years on this intriguing aspect of modern society. In this discussion, some of its members will examine the relationship between conspiracy theories and truth. Andrew McKenzie-McHarg - What role do images play? How can images unveil what is otherwise hidden? Rachel Hofmann - How do revolutions and assassinations provoke conspiracy theories? Why with events of this nature can they attain a degree of plausibility? Hugo Drochon - How do conspiracy theories mobilize emotions? How do they speak to our sense of identity? Hugo Leal - How do conspiracy theories become viral memes? How is their spread promoted by the internet? Alfred Moore - What role do FOIA requests play in this story? Have they suppressed or stimulated conspiracy theorizing?

Conspiracy theories usually arouse scepticism. Yet when we confront them 'in the flesh,' they can appear - at least on first sight - strangely persuasive. Join a discussion about the strategies conspiracies use in making their pitch for plausibility and staking their claim to truth. Organised by the Conspiracy & Democracy project at CRASSH. In the abstract and as a generic class, conspiracy theories arouse scepticism. Yet sometimes when we actually confront a conspiracy theory 'in the flesh,' they can appear - at least on first sight - strangely persuasive. What strategies do these narratives employ in making their pitch for plausibility and staking their claim to be true. The Conspiracy and Democracy Team has been conducting research at CRASSH for the last four years on this intriguing aspect of modern society. In this discussion, some of its members will examine the relationship between conspiracy theories and truth. Andrew McKenzie-McHarg - What role do images play? How can images unveil what is otherwise hidden? Rachel Hofmann - How do revolutions and assassinations provoke conspiracy theories? Why with events of this nature can they attain a degree of plausibility? Hugo Drochon - How do conspiracy theories mobilize emotions? How do they speak to our sense of identity? Hugo Leal - How do conspiracy theories become viral memes? How is their spread promoted by the internet? Alfred Moore - What role do FOIA requests play in this story? Have they suppressed or stimulated conspiracy theorizing?

Panel One Hugo Drochon (University of Cambridge) 'Robert Michels, the Iron Law of Oligarchy, and Dynamic Democracy' Natasha Piano (University of Chicago) 'Revisiting Democratic Elitism: The Italian School of Elitism, American Political Science, and the Problem of Plutocracy'

Panel One Hugo Drochon (University of Cambridge) 'Robert Michels, the Iron Law of Oligarchy, and Dynamic Democracy' Natasha Piano (University of Chicago) 'Revisiting Democratic Elitism: The Italian School of Elitism, American Political Science, and the Problem of Plutocracy'

This talk explores what factors - religious, economic, political - make some and not others believe in conspiracy theories. Hugo Drochon considers what impact that has had on contemporary political events, from Brexit to Trump. Was Diana killed by the Secret Services? Is climate change a hoax? Did man not walk on the moon? Who shot JFK? Drawing on a nation-wide survey conducted with YouGov about belief in conspiracy theories, this talk explores what factors -religious, economic, political – make some and not others believe in conspiracy theories, and what impact that has had on contemporary political events, from Brexit toTrump. Hugo Drochon is a researcher with the 'Conspiracy and Democracy' research project at CRASSH.

This talk explores what factors - religious, economic, political - make some and not others believe in conspiracy theories. Hugo Drochon considers what impact that has had on contemporary political events, from Brexit to Trump. Was Diana killed by the Secret Services? Is climate change a hoax? Did man not walk on the moon? Who shot JFK? Drawing on a nation-wide survey conducted with YouGov about belief in conspiracy theories, this talk explores what factors -religious, economic, political – make some and not others believe in conspiracy theories, and what impact that has had on contemporary political events, from Brexit toTrump. Hugo Drochon is a researcher with the 'Conspiracy and Democracy' research project at CRASSH.

This talk explores what factors - religious, economic, political - make some and not others believe in conspiracy theories. Hugo Drochon considers what impact that has had on contemporary political events, from Brexit to Trump. Was Diana killed by the Secret Services? Is climate change a hoax? Did man not walk on the moon? Who shot JFK? Drawing on a nation-wide survey conducted with YouGov about belief in conspiracy theories, this talk explores what factors -religious, economic, political – make some and not others believe in conspiracy theories, and what impact that has had on contemporary political events, from Brexit toTrump. Hugo Drochon is a researcher with the 'Conspiracy and Democracy' research project at CRASSH.