Michael Butter is Professor of American Studies at the University of Tübingen

"In this stunningly wide-ranging book, Michael Butter runs conspiracy theory through a prism that reveals its logic, narratology, history, cultural specificity and psychological appeal. Using examples from the assassination of Julius Caesar to the suspicions of Donald Trump, Butter shows how the scholarly delegitimation of conspiracy theory has paradoxically enhanced its visibility. The result is a compelling account of how conspiracy theory works, why it seems so pervasive, and how we can combat its most dangerous consequences." Timothy Melley, author of Empire of Conspiracy: The Culture of Paranoia in Postwar America "In this compelling book, Michael Butter provides a detailed perspective on the nature of conspiracy theories. He takes a historical perspective yet expertly weaves together research across many disciplines to explain why conspiracy theories are sometimes believed but often belittled." Karen Douglas, University of Kent"A strong contribution, and an excellent starting point for anyone interested in understanding conspiracy theories."The Fortean Times

• Acknowledgements Introduction, or: What’s the plan?Notes1 ‘Everything is planned’, or: What is a conspiracy theory?CharacteristicsTypologiesConspiracy theories and real conspiraciesThe term as a means of delegitimizationConspiracy theories as theoriesNotes2 ‘Nothing is as it seems’, or: How do conspiracy theorists argue?Structure and strategies of argumentationEvidenceCountering the official versionCase study: Daniele GanserMetaphors and moreNotes3 ‘Everything is connected’, or: Why do people believe in conspiracy theories?FunctionsAre conspiracy theories for losers?Propaganda and commerceCase study: Alex JonesNotes4 The story so far, or: How have conspiracy theories evolved historically?Emergence and development up to the twentieth centuryDelegitimization and stigmatization after 1945Case study: the myth of the global Jewish conspiracyConspiracy theories and populismNotes5 Current trends, or: How is the internet changing conspiracy theories?The ‘truth’ is just a Google search awayRelegitimization in the echo chamberFrom conspiracy theories to conspiracy rumoursCase study: Donald TrumpNotesConclusion: When are conspiracy theories dangerous and what can we do about them?NotesIndex

Michael Butter is Professor of American Studies at the University of Tübingen

"In this stunningly wide-ranging book, Michael Butter runs conspiracy theory through a prism that reveals its logic, narratology, history, cultural specificity and psychological appeal. Using examples from the assassination of Julius Caesar to the suspicions of Donald Trump, Butter shows how the scholarly delegitimation of conspiracy theory has paradoxically enhanced its visibility. The result is a compelling account of how conspiracy theory works, why it seems so pervasive, and how we can combat its most dangerous consequences." Timothy Melley, author of Empire of Conspiracy: The Culture of Paranoia in Postwar America "In this compelling book, Michael Butter provides a detailed perspective on the nature of conspiracy theories. He takes a historical perspective yet expertly weaves together research across many disciplines to explain why conspiracy theories are sometimes believed but often belittled." Karen Douglas, University of Kent"A strong contribution, and an excellent starting point for anyone interested in understanding conspiracy theories."The Fortean Times

• Acknowledgements Introduction, or: What’s the plan?Notes1 ‘Everything is planned’, or: What is a conspiracy theory?CharacteristicsTypologiesConspiracy theories and real conspiraciesThe term as a means of delegitimizationConspiracy theories as theoriesNotes2 ‘Nothing is as it seems’, or: How do conspiracy theorists argue?Structure and strategies of argumentationEvidenceCountering the official versionCase study: Daniele GanserMetaphors and moreNotes3 ‘Everything is connected’, or: Why do people believe in conspiracy theories?FunctionsAre conspiracy theories for losers?Propaganda and commerceCase study: Alex JonesNotes4 The story so far, or: How have conspiracy theories evolved historically?Emergence and development up to the twentieth centuryDelegitimization and stigmatization after 1945Case study: the myth of the global Jewish conspiracyConspiracy theories and populismNotes5 Current trends, or: How is the internet changing conspiracy theories?The ‘truth’ is just a Google search awayRelegitimization in the echo chamberFrom conspiracy theories to conspiracy rumoursCase study: Donald TrumpNotesConclusion: When are conspiracy theories dangerous and what can we do about them?NotesIndex