A Specific Social Function of Rumors and Conspiracy Theories: Strengthening Community´s Ties in Trouble Times. A Multilevel Analysis.
A Specific Social Function of Rumors and Conspiracy Theories: Strengthening Community´s Ties in Trouble Times. A Multilevel Analysis.
Author(s): Julien GirySubject(s): Anthropology, Customs / Folklore, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology, Culture and social structure
Published by: Ústav etnológie a sociálnej antropológie Slovenskej akadémie vied
Keywords: rumors; conspiracy theories; social functions; social ties; multilevel analysis;
Summary/Abstract: This paper hypothesizes that conspiracy theories and rumors are an act of social conformism. The evaluation of their plausibility, and their success, is collectively determinate regarding the established values of an in-group and the social context.In periods of troubles they flourish to reaffirm themselves and strengthen community’s ties, structures and leaderships. After a theoretical introduction, I will demonstrate this assumption through a multilevel analysis (macro, meso, micro)which considers a wide range of social situations from the French Revolution to neighborhood conflicts and from open riots to latent crises.
Journal: Slovenský národopis
- Issue Year: 65/2017
- Issue No: 2
- Page Range: 187-202
- Page Count: 16
- Language: English
