Culture of Suspicion and Conspiracism

This chapter analyzes the rise of conspiracism in American politics, rooted in a pervasive 'culture of suspicion'. It explores influential cultural theorists like Karl Popper and Richard Hofstetter, examining their critiques of paranoid politics while tracing the historical evolution of conspiracy theories. By connecting past crises to modern phenomena, the chapter aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how mistrust shapes contemporary American society.