The COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear that conspiracy theories are not, or no longer, a fringe phenomenon in European politics, in part because the political fringes have moved into the political mainstream. This highly original volume broadens the scope of European politics by analysing key political conspiracy theories in contemporary Europe, which target individuals (Soros), groups (Muslims) and institutions (the European Union). It should be essential readings for scholars of Euroscepticism, far-right politics, populism and, frankly, European politics in general.
Cas Mudde , Stanley Wade Shelton UGAF
Professor at the University of Georgia, USA
In this volume, Andreas nnerfors and Andr Krouwel have assembled an outstanding set of chapters from some of the leading experts on conspiracy theories. Together, these contributions provide a compelling analysis of how conspiracy theories have shaped, and are still shaping, Europe.
Karen Douglas , University of Kent, UK
Conspiracy theories have become increasingly prominent in European politics, often with deleterious consequences. Yet we have amassed few answers to explain why. In this powerful volume, nnerfors and Krouwel assemble the prominent experts to tackle the causes and consequences of these troubling trends in Europe. I strongly recommend this volume to anyone interested in conspiracy theories.
Joseph Uscinski , University of Miami, USA
With the rise of misinformation and fake news, the timing of Europe: Continent of Conspiracies could not be better. By using a breadth of data, this book provides a chilling insight into the existence, spread and consequences of conspiracy theories in European politics. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the contours of political change in Europe and the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in this process.
Catherine E. de Vries , Bocconi University, Italy
Conspiracy theories have burrowed back into the mainstream, no thanks to QAnons evil; redoubled by a pandemic showing no sign of abating in 2020. Yet these new variations fit into well-worn grooves of conspiracist thinking in contemporary Europe from [both the] radical right and left, some of it distinctly genocidal. Drawing together case studies from more than a dozen European countries, expert guides Andreas nnerfors and Andre Krouwel provide a nuanced understanding of this hydra-headed phenomena that, sadly, retains its power to seduce activists and, indeed, to shock readers.
Matthew Feldman , Director of the Centre for
Analysis of the Radical Right
Europe: Continent
of Conspiracies
This edited volume investigates for the first time the impact of conspiracy theories upon the understanding of Europe as a geopolitical entity as well as an imagined political and cultural space.
Focusing on recent developments, the individual chapters explore a range of conspiratorial positions related to Europe. In the current climate of fear and threat, new and old imaginaries of conspiracies such as Islamophobia and anti-Semitism have been mobilised. A dystopian or even apocalyptic image of Europe in terminal decline is evoked in Eastern European and particularly by Russian pro-Kremlin media, while the EU emerges as a screen upon which several narratives of conspiracy are projected trans-nationally, ranging from the Greek debt crisis to migration, Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. The methodological perspectives applied in this volume range from qualitative discourse and media analysis to quantitative social-psychological approaches, and there are a number of national and transnational case studies.
This book will be of great interest to students and researchers of extremism, conspiracy theories and European politics.
Andreas nnerfors is Full Professor of History of Sciences and Ideas and Dean of Class I, Humanities at the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, Salzburg, Austria.
Andr Krouwel is Associate Professor of Political Science and Communication at VU Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Conspiracy Theories
Series Editors: Peter Knight, University of Manchester , and
Michael Butter, University of Tbingen .
Conspiracy theories have a long history and exist in all modern societies. However, their visibility and significance are increasing today. Conspiracy theories can no longer be simply dismissed as the product of a pathological mindset located on the political margins.
This series provides a nuanced and scholarly approach to this most contentious of subjects. It draws on a range of disciplinary perspectives including political science, sociology, history, media and cultural studies, area studies and behavioural sciences. Issues covered include the psychology of conspiracy theories, changes in conspiratorial thinking over time, the role of the Internet, regional and political variations and the social and political impact of conspiracy theories.
The series will include edited collections, single-authored monographs and short-form books.
Conspiracy Theories in Eastern Europe
Tropes and Trends
Edited by Anastasiya Astapova, Onoriu Colcel, Corneliu Pintilescu and Tams Scheibner
Conspiracy Theories and the Nordic Countries
Anastasiya Astapova, Eirikur Bergmann, Asbjrn Dyrendal, Annika Rabo, Kasper Grotle Rasmussen, Hulda Thrisdttir, Andreas nnerfors
Europe: Continent of Conspiracies
Conspiracy Theories in and about Europe
Edited by Andreas nnerfors and Andr Krouwel
Europe: Continent
of Conspiracies
Conspiracy Theories in
and about Europe
Edited by Andreas nnerfors and
Andr Krouwel
First published 2021
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
2021 selection and editorial matter, Andreas nnerfors and Andr Krouwel; individual chapters, the contributors
The right of Andreas nnerfors and Andr Krouwel to be identified as the authors of the editorial material, and of the authors for their individual chapters, has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
2021 paperback cover image, Tea Jahrehorn
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice : Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Onnerfors, Andreas, 1971- editor. | Krouwel, Andre, editor.
Title: Europe, continent of conspiracies : conspiracy theories in and about Europe / edited by Andreas Onnerfors and Andre Krouwel.
Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2021. | Series: Conspiracy theories | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020048101 (print) | LCCN 2020048102 (ebook) | ISBN 9780367500672 (hardback) | ISBN 9780367500689 (paperback) | ISBN 9781003048640 (ebook)
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