|
|
Paper Stats:
Abstract Views: 115
Downloads: 47
|
Conspiracy Theories
|
CASS R. SUNSTEIN
University of Chicago - Law School
ADRIAN VERMEULE
Harvard University - Harvard Law School
2008
|
| |
Abstract:
Many millions of people hold conspiracy theories; they believe that powerful people have worked together in order to withhold the truth about some important practice or some terrible event. A recent example is the belief, widespread in some parts of the world, that the attacks of 9/11 were carried out not by Al Qaeda, but by Israel or the United States. Those who subscribe to conspiracy theories may create serious risks, including risks of violence, and the existence of such theories raises significant challenges for policy and law. The first challenge is to understand the mechanisms by which conspiracy theories prosper; the second challenge is to understand how such theories might be undermined. Such theories typically spread as a result of identifiable cognitive blunders, operating in conjunction with informational and reputational influences. A distinctive feature of conspiracy theories is their self-sealing quality. Conspiracy theorists are not likely to be persuaded by an attempt to dispel their theories; they may even characterize that very attempt as further proof of the conspiracy. Because those who hold conspiracy theories typically suffer from a "crippled epistemology," in accordance with which it is rational to hold such theories, the best response consists in cognitive infiltration of extremist groups. Various policy dilemmas, such as the question whether it is better for government to rebut conspiracy theories or to ignore them, are explored in this light.
|
| |
Keywords: conspiracy theories, social networks, informational cascades, group polarization
|
| |
Working Paper Series
|
| |
Suggested Citation
Sunstein, Cass R. and Vermeule, Adrian, "Conspiracy Theories"
(2008).
Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1084585
|
| |
Contact Information for
ADRIAN
VERMEULE
(Contact Author)
Email address for ADRIAN
VERMEULE
Harvard University - Harvard Law School
1575 Massachusetts
Hauser 406
Cambridge
, MA
02138
United States
|
|
Contact Information for
CASS
R.
SUNSTEIN
Email address for CASS
R.
SUNSTEIN
University of Chicago - Law School
1111 E. 60th St.
Chicago
, IL
60637
United States
773-702-9498 (Phone)
773-702-0730 (Fax)
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
SSRN Electronic Paper Collection
|
Download the document from:
|
| Social Science Research Network |
 |
| Chicago GSB |
 |
| European Corporate Governance Institute |
 |
| Korea University |
 |
| Stanford Law School |
 |
|
|
| |
Email Abstract or
Full Text Paper |
 |
Add to
My Briefcase |
 |
|
If you are experiencing download difficulties,
click here.
Are you still having problems or need additional help? Contact us at Support@SSRN.Com.
|
| |
Format Type |
Number of Downloads |
Date
Posted |
File Size
|
File name |
Acrobat File |
47 |
Jan 17, 2008 |
198K
| SSRN_ID1084585_code231075.pdf |
|
| |
|
| |
The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Acrobat is required to view this paper. To obtain your free copy, click on the Acrobat button.
|
| |
SSRN Resources
To search for other abstracts in the SSRN archival database, click here.
To order a membership to an SSRN Network or to subscribe to one or more of SSRN's journals,
go to our online subscription request form.
To go to SSRN's main web site (www.ssrn.com), click here.
|
© 2008 Social Science Electronic Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use
This page was served by apollo 6 in 1.125 seconds.
|
