Conspiracies and conspiracy theories are part of history like intrigues and conspiracies are part of everyday life. Since the 18th century, when opponents of the revolution, clerical and conservative authors began to blame all kinds of conspiracies by Freemasons, Illuminati and other secret societies for the French Revolution, the suspicion and denunciation of criticism has been part of the basic equipment for the construction of conspiracy theories. Reinhart Koselleck’s dissertation, which was inspired by Carl Schmitt and, because of its catchy title “Critique and Crisis” (1959), is often heard by conservative and right-wing authors, but is seldom read, is still considered evidence of the thesis that the revolution of 1789 was the result of a conspiracy of secret societies. The literacy associated with the Enlightenment and the media development of the mass and tabloid press, trivial and colossal literature, later film, television and finally the Internet, which potentially turns every literate person into an author and publisher, has allowed the number and spread of conspiracy theories to grow exponentially . The recent pandemic has also turned these theories into a widespread epidemic.
Paranoid Fantasies – Conspiracy Theories in the Nazi Era – Culture
