Conspiracy theories serve as political weapons, shaping political systems globally. In this work, Scott Radnitz examines the political dynamics surrounding these theories, focusing on two key questions: What prompts regimes to promote conspiracy claims? What impacts do these claims have on politics and society? By analyzing the former Soviet Union—a region where conspiracy theories have thrived—Radnitz reveals that politicians often resort to conspiracy claims to assert their authority during periods of uncertainty and threat. Such claims are more prevalent in contexts of political competition rather than in autocratic regimes and typically arise in response to challenges to a regime's power. Interestingly, these theories can become ingrained in official narratives, persisting even after immediate threats diminish, which may unintentionally weaken the regimes they aim to support. The work features an extensive collection of over 1,500 conspiracy claims from the post-Soviet region, alongside two national surveys and 12 focus groups. In an era marked by increasing distrust in democratic institutions and the rise of illiberal populism, understanding the role of conspiracy theories in a region with a troubled democratic history offers valuable insights for citizens worldwide.
