THE PUBLIC TRUST APPROACH TO POLITICAL CONSPIRACY THEORIES

Abstract This study argues that conspiracy theorizing essentially revolves around trust and distrust. Political conspiracy theories constitute symptoms of generalized political distrust -what I call the public trust approach to conspiracy theories. The various causes of political distrust evolve into a generalized perception of untrustworthiness. Critics of the public trust approach correctly point out that conspiracy theories have no epistemic flaws as such, dismissing narratives by imputing a conspirational logic in which public authorities can use them as stratagems to undermine valid criticisms. Although a correct objection, acknowledging it fails to obfuscate the fact that distrust configures a major political problem. Following philosophers of trust, I argue that distrust configures a practical problem and the proliferation of conspiracy theories, a symptom of political failure. The only response to conspiracy theorizing requires re-establishing the bonds of trust since an ethical and democratic political life requires a deep sense of trust.