Forum for Anthropology and Culture. 2016. No. 12

INTRODUCTION: ANTHROPOLOGY AND CONSPIRACY THEORY

Alexander A. Panchenko

European University at St Petersburg
3 Gagarinskaya Str., St Petersburg, Russia
Institute of Russian Literature (The Pushkin House), Russian Academy of Science
4 Makarova Emb., St Petersburg, Russia
St Petersburg State University
7–9 Universitetskaya Emb., St Petersburg, Russia
apanchenko2008()gmail.com

Summary: This introductory essay deals with problems and prospects in the study of conspiracy theories by anthropologists and other social scientists. Epistemologically, conspiracy theories do not in fact differ from any other theories. However, conspiratorial narratives are notable for their particular emotional suggestibility that makes them efficacious tools of socialisation.

Keywords: conspiracy theories, collective imagination, knowledge and power, emotional communities.

To cite: Panchenko A. A., 'Introduction: Anthropology and Conspiracy Theory', Forum for Anthropology and Culture, 2016, no. 12, pp. 157–160.

URL: http://anthropologie.kunstkamera.ru/files/pdf/eng012/panchenko1.pdf