The Structure of Conspiratorial Beliefs in Croatia Cover Image

The Structure of Conspiratorial Beliefs in Croatia
The Structure of Conspiratorial Beliefs in Croatia

Author(s): Nebojša Blanuša
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: Hrvatsko politološko društvo
Keywords: conspiracy theory; cynicism; kynism; Government conspiracies; conspiracies of internal and external enemies; electoral behaviour

Summary/Abstract: According to results of a survey in 2007, this study analyses conspiratorial beliefs in Croatia and their correlates. Conspiratorial beliefs consist of politically controversial events and processes in recent Croatian history. Factorial analysis has revealed two factors: Government conspiracies during the 90’s and Conspiracies of internal and external enemies. Based on the ideas of Sloterdijk and Žižek, we can name these Factors – Kynical and Cynical conspiracy theories. The first ones are a cheeky and bold exposure of cynicism of the power elite: secret meetings with the enemy and trade in territory during the war, political crimes, corruption, etc. The second ones are the back side of the public façade, obscene reactions to ‘thefts of enjoyment’ in the National Thing. Further analysis has revealed strong differences in beliefs in conspiracies between citizens of different ideological affiliation and different political legacy, and between voters of two main political parties, HDZ and SDP.

  • Issue Year: 2009
  • Issue No: 06
  • Page Range: 113-143
  • Page Count: 31
  • Language: English