Conspiring Minds
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Conspiring Minds
Approximately no one will be surprised to find out that conspiracy theories are a prominent feature of politics. Nor should anyone be surprised that “conspiracy theories,” if we define them as irrational obsessions with hidden forces driving events for their own benefit, are intended to serve as an accusation. That is to say, people claim that those who fancy conspiracy thinking are political opponents of theirs—not their own political friends and allies, all of whom are impeccable and tasteful purveyors of sensible and rational political beliefs.
Derek Thompson interviewed political science researcher Joseph Uscinski on the Plain English podcast and discussed just how common conspiracy thinking is. It turns out to be rather common in politics.
As one example from the episode, we learn that the losing side’s supporters in most American elections believe the final results were rigged against them—around 30 to 40 percent of them. Election winners, on the other hand, self-flatteringly reckon their win was as fair as anyone could ever hope. The losers are so sure of themselves and the purity of their cause that they can’t conceive their opponents really believe what they say they believe. It is the tempting flaw of human psychology.
Prof. Uscinski explains that folks on the left have been quick to find in Trump’s supporters proof for their long-held suspicion that everyone in the Republican party has always been racist. As he says, that reflects more on what the folks on the left would like to believe than the reality. The people who supported Reagan, the Bushes—or for that matter, McCain or Romney—are not the same people that today support Trump and identify as MAGA. Parties change their affiliations as much as they change their constituents over time.
All in all, it was an informative listen, in particular if you like to hear more about the research findings. Host Derek Thompson calls himself left-leaning, which in my book would be nice of journalists to admit more often: something about their political inclinations, to the extent it that it bears on their reporting.
Good morning, everyone. Happy Thorsday!
Fang has suddenly taken a notion to make a real effort at finding a full time job!
"something about their political inclinations, to the extent it that it bears on their reporting"
One reason the journalistical industry has lost so much credibility is that the persons proceed (and posture) as if their intensely-held beliefs about politics - which means about the world - had no influence on their reporting. It does, guys, and everyone can see it.