ICSM Rhetoric of Conspiracy Theory
Best Bet Database: Academic Search Premier : use Conspiracy Theories as Subject search.
A particular conspiracy will often have its own Subject Headings, whether relating to a group-- Freemasons, Jews, Extraterrestials--or to specific events such as the assassination of President Kennedy- -Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963--Assassination--or the first moon landing-- Project Apollo (U.S.).
Conspiracy Theory:
Conspiracies
Conspiracies--United States
Conspiracy theories
Conspiracy theories--United States
Conspiracy Theory Catalysts: Government
Deception--United States
Deception--Political aspects--United States
Propaganda
Propaganda, American
Spin doctors--United States
Disinformation
Freedom of information--United States
Official secrets--United States
Intelligence service--United States
United States. Central Intelligence Agency
Military-industrial complex United States
Internal security--United States
Electronic surveillance
Electronic surveillance--United States
Executive power--United States
Executive privilege (Government information)--United States
Political corruption--United States
Political alienation--United States
Government, Resistance to--United States
Subversive activities--United States
Communication in politics
Communication in politics--United States
Political culture--United States
Politics and culture--United States
Conspiracy Theory Catalysts: Social Conflict
Power (Social sciences)--United States
Elite (Social sciences)--United States
Social control
Social control--United States
Social classes--United States
Social stratification--United States
Social conflict--United States
Discrimination--United States
Race discrimination--United States
Racism--United States
Religious tolerance--United States
Antisemitism--United States
Islamophobia--United States
Homophobia--United States
Alienation (Social psychology)--United States
Conspiracy Theory Catalysts: Business Interests
Pressure groups
Pressure groups--United States
Lobbying--United States
Corporate power
Corporations--Corrupt practices--United States
Corporations--United States--Political activity
Big business--United States
Advertising--Psychological aspects
Business and politics--United States
Financial crises--United States
Globalization--Political aspects
Anti-globalization movement
Conspiracy Theory Catalysts: Media Control
Mass media--Objectivity--United States
Mass media--Political aspects--United States
Mass media and culture
Mass media and language
Mass media and public opinion
Mass media and public opinion--United States
Journalism--Objectivity--United States
Journalism--Political aspects--United States
Journalism--Social aspects--United States
Prejudices in the press--United States
Television broadcasting of news--Objectivity--United States
Radio in politics--United States
Conspiracy Theory Catalysts: Fringe Politics
Group identity--Political aspects--United States
Polarization (Social sciences)
Polarization (Social sciences)--United States
Dissenters--United States
Radicalism--United States
Conservatism--United States
Left-wing extremists--United States
Right-wing extremists--United States
Right and left (Political science)
Protest movements--United States
Militia movements--United States
Cults--United States
Hate groups--United States
Hate speech--United States
Conspiracy Theory Catalysts: Rhetorics of Fear
Rhetoric--Political aspects
Rhetoric--Political aspects--United States
English language--Rhetoric
Persuasion (Rhetoric)
Prejudices--United States
Discrimination--United States
Hate
Hate speech--United States
Fear--Political aspects
Projection (Psychology)
Paranoia
Delusions
Conspiracy Theory:
Conspiracies
Conspiracies--United States
Conspiracy theories
Conspiracy theories--United States
Conspiracy Theory Catalysts: Government
Deception--United States
Deception--Political aspects--United States
Propaganda
Propaganda, American
Spin doctors--United States
Disinformation
Freedom of information--United States
Official secrets--United States
Intelligence service--United States
United States. Central Intelligence Agency
Military-industrial complex United States
Internal security--United States
Electronic surveillance
Electronic surveillance--United States
Executive power--United States
Executive privilege (Government information)--United States
Political corruption--United States
Political alienation--United States
Government, Resistance to--United States
Subversive activities--United States
Communication in politics
Communication in politics--United States
Political culture--United States
Politics and culture--United States
Conspiracy Theory Catalysts: Social Conflict
Power (Social sciences)--United States
Elite (Social sciences)--United States
Social control
Social control--United States
Social classes--United States
Social stratification--United States
Social conflict--United States
Discrimination--United States
Race discrimination--United States
Racism--United States
Religious tolerance--United States
Antisemitism--United States
Islamophobia--United States
Homophobia--United States
Alienation (Social psychology)--United States
Conspiracy Theory Catalysts: Business Interests
Pressure groups
Pressure groups--United States
Lobbying--United States
Corporate power
Corporations--Corrupt practices--United States
Corporations--United States--Political activity
Big business--United States
Advertising--Psychological aspects
Business and politics--United States
Financial crises--United States
Globalization--Political aspects
Anti-globalization movement
Conspiracy Theory Catalysts: Media Control
Mass media--Objectivity--United States
Mass media--Political aspects--United States
Mass media and culture
Mass media and language
Mass media and public opinion
Mass media and public opinion--United States
Journalism--Objectivity--United States
Journalism--Political aspects--United States
Journalism--Social aspects--United States
Prejudices in the press--United States
Television broadcasting of news--Objectivity--United States
Radio in politics--United States
Conspiracy Theory Catalysts: Fringe Politics
Group identity--Political aspects--United States
Polarization (Social sciences)
Polarization (Social sciences)--United States
Dissenters--United States
Radicalism--United States
Conservatism--United States
Left-wing extremists--United States
Right-wing extremists--United States
Right and left (Political science)
Protest movements--United States
Militia movements--United States
Cults--United States
Hate groups--United States
Hate speech--United States
Conspiracy Theory Catalysts: Rhetorics of Fear
Rhetoric--Political aspects
Rhetoric--Political aspects--United States
English language--Rhetoric
Persuasion (Rhetoric)
Prejudices--United States
Discrimination--United States
Hate
Hate speech--United States
Fear--Political aspects
Projection (Psychology)
Paranoia
Delusions
In the most of the databases below you can use "conspiracy" and "conspiracy theories" as Subject Headings, and in all of them you can use both as Keywords. Be aware that "conspiracy" by itself often refers to a criminal charge--defined as a plan by two or more people to do something illegal. So when using "conspiracy" as a search term be prepared to sort articles about sinister plots and hidden powers from those about crimes and court cases.
General OneFile :
The most user-friendly of our comprehensive databases. Use the default Subject search to find the best subject heading for your topic (and when you find a good one be sure to look at the "Related Subjects" to see if there's something even better). Subject headings include Conspiracy Theories, Conspiracy, and Paranoia.
If there is a good subject heading for your topic, open the "Subdivisions" link below it. Most General OneFile subject searches produce very large retrievals and the "subdivisions" help you narrow your search to a particular aspect: "Ethical aspects," "Forecasts and Trends," "History," "Media Coverage," "Political aspects," "Psychological aspects," and "Social aspects," to name only a few.
User Advisory: When first viewing your retrievals in General OneFile, note that you are seeing only the "Magazines" (popular articles) and must click on "Academic Journals" (scholarly articles) or "News" (newspaper articles) at the left.
Academic Search Premier :
A very large database with a high percentage of full text. Note the "Subject Terms" index linked from above the search slots. Among the general Subject Headings available here are "Conspiracy theories," "Conspiracy," "Subversive activities," and "Secret societies."
ProQuest Research Library :
Another comprehensive database with substantial full text. Use the "Thesaurus" (above the search slots) to preview what Subject Headings are available. ProQuest offers only "conspiracies" and leaves it to you to and your Keywords to target covert manipulation as opposed to partners in crime.
User Advisory: ProQuest is fussy about entering Subject searches in the designated search slot. If your subject is a person, enter the name--last name first--in the "Person" slot; if a named group of any kind--Microsoft, the Catholic Church, Radiohead, the New York Mets--enter it in "Co/Org"; if a place enter it in "Location."
JSTOR :
100% full-text database of scholarly literature. JSTOR offers only Keyword search of its full text, so put full names and Keyword phrases in quotation marks. And be sure to check the "Article" limit below the search slots to weed out book reviews. "Conspiracy theories" retrieves hundreds of hits, as does "conspiracy theories" AND rhetoric.
User Advisory: most JSTOR full text begins at least 1-2 years before the present--so don't look for articles on the "latest" current events. On the other hand, JSTOR's archives extend back into the 19th century, so you can find articles about conspiracy over the last 150 years.
Project Muse :
Although a smaller database, it complements JSTOR. LIke JSTOR it provides 100% full text of mostly scholarly journals, but its coverage is entirely current--mainly spanning the last 10-15 years. Muse uses a "black box" search approach--you enter your search terms in one slot with no designated field options. This broad approach to searching tends to generate large retrievals--almost 500 for "conspiracy theories"--so it's best to be as specific as possible. And note--once you have a retrieval set, you can add more search terms by clicking "Modify Search" at the top.
PsycINFO :
The American Psychological Association use their own Subject vocabulary (called "Descriptors"), so a visit to the "Thesaurus" above the search slots is usually a good idea--but unfortunately there is no Subject Heading for "conspiracy" or "conspiracy theories" here. Both will work as keywords, however, and retrieve dozens of articles.
PsycINFO deals only with scholarly literature, much of it assuming a graduate-level understanding of the discipline. But among these you may find interesting, accessible articles on your topic.
User Advisory: If what you're searching for are "journals" in "English," it's a good idea to check those boxes below the search slots.
America: History and Life :
As a Subject "conspiracy theories" will get you 50 hits, "conspiracy" nearly 400.
CQ Researcher :
A weekly publication from Congressional Quarterly. Each report (approx. 30 pages) examines a single issue relevant to American public policy. The non-partisan analysis always includes a "Background," "Current Situation," "Outlook," and "Pro/Con" section, as well as numerous charts and graphs of statistical data, maps, and a bibliography for further reading. In 2009 CQ published "Conspiracy Theories: Do They Threaten Democracy?"
The most user-friendly of our comprehensive databases. Use the default Subject search to find the best subject heading for your topic (and when you find a good one be sure to look at the "Related Subjects" to see if there's something even better). Subject headings include Conspiracy Theories, Conspiracy, and Paranoia.
If there is a good subject heading for your topic, open the "Subdivisions" link below it. Most General OneFile subject searches produce very large retrievals and the "subdivisions" help you narrow your search to a particular aspect: "Ethical aspects," "Forecasts and Trends," "History," "Media Coverage," "Political aspects," "Psychological aspects," and "Social aspects," to name only a few.
User Advisory: When first viewing your retrievals in General OneFile, note that you are seeing only the "Magazines" (popular articles) and must click on "Academic Journals" (scholarly articles) or "News" (newspaper articles) at the left.
Academic Search Premier :
A very large database with a high percentage of full text. Note the "Subject Terms" index linked from above the search slots. Among the general Subject Headings available here are "Conspiracy theories," "Conspiracy," "Subversive activities," and "Secret societies."
ProQuest Research Library :
Another comprehensive database with substantial full text. Use the "Thesaurus" (above the search slots) to preview what Subject Headings are available. ProQuest offers only "conspiracies" and leaves it to you to and your Keywords to target covert manipulation as opposed to partners in crime.
User Advisory: ProQuest is fussy about entering Subject searches in the designated search slot. If your subject is a person, enter the name--last name first--in the "Person" slot; if a named group of any kind--Microsoft, the Catholic Church, Radiohead, the New York Mets--enter it in "Co/Org"; if a place enter it in "Location."
JSTOR :
100% full-text database of scholarly literature. JSTOR offers only Keyword search of its full text, so put full names and Keyword phrases in quotation marks. And be sure to check the "Article" limit below the search slots to weed out book reviews. "Conspiracy theories" retrieves hundreds of hits, as does "conspiracy theories" AND rhetoric.
User Advisory: most JSTOR full text begins at least 1-2 years before the present--so don't look for articles on the "latest" current events. On the other hand, JSTOR's archives extend back into the 19th century, so you can find articles about conspiracy over the last 150 years.
Project Muse :
Although a smaller database, it complements JSTOR. LIke JSTOR it provides 100% full text of mostly scholarly journals, but its coverage is entirely current--mainly spanning the last 10-15 years. Muse uses a "black box" search approach--you enter your search terms in one slot with no designated field options. This broad approach to searching tends to generate large retrievals--almost 500 for "conspiracy theories"--so it's best to be as specific as possible. And note--once you have a retrieval set, you can add more search terms by clicking "Modify Search" at the top.
PsycINFO :
The American Psychological Association use their own Subject vocabulary (called "Descriptors"), so a visit to the "Thesaurus" above the search slots is usually a good idea--but unfortunately there is no Subject Heading for "conspiracy" or "conspiracy theories" here. Both will work as keywords, however, and retrieve dozens of articles.
PsycINFO deals only with scholarly literature, much of it assuming a graduate-level understanding of the discipline. But among these you may find interesting, accessible articles on your topic.
User Advisory: If what you're searching for are "journals" in "English," it's a good idea to check those boxes below the search slots.
America: History and Life :
As a Subject "conspiracy theories" will get you 50 hits, "conspiracy" nearly 400.
CQ Researcher :
A weekly publication from Congressional Quarterly. Each report (approx. 30 pages) examines a single issue relevant to American public policy. The non-partisan analysis always includes a "Background," "Current Situation," "Outlook," and "Pro/Con" section, as well as numerous charts and graphs of statistical data, maps, and a bibliography for further reading. In 2009 CQ published "Conspiracy Theories: Do They Threaten Democracy?"
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- Conspiracy Theories
- Real Enemies : Conspiracy Theories and American Democracy, World War I To 9/11
- Conspiracy Rising : Conspiracy Thinking and American Public Life
- Conspiracy Theories : Secrecy and Power in American Culture
- Enemies Within : The Culture of Conspiracy in Modern America
- Culture of Conspiracy : Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America
- Paranoid Apocalypse : A Hundred-Year Retrospective on the Protocols of the Elders of Zion
- Witches, Westerners, and HIV
- Towers of Deception: The Media Cover-up of 9-11
- Orientalism and Conspiracy : Politics and Conspiracy Theory in the Islamic World
- Stealth Jihad : How Radical Islam Is Subverting America without Guns and Bombs
- Iraq Confidential: The Untold Story of America's Intelligence Conspiracy
- They Know Us Better Than We Know Ourselves : The History and Politics of Alien Abduction
- Secret and Suppressed II : Banned Ideas and Hidden History into the 21st Century
Conspiracism: from Public Research Associates, this provides a good gateway to related online resources.
Conspiracy Theories and Misinformation: from the U.S. Department of State (so can we believe their debunkings?).
Conspiracy Theory & Conspiracism: this is a tip-sheet from Butte College and includes a rhetorical analysis of conspiracy theory--just use the section headings linked on the left.
Conspiracy Theories, Magical Thinking, and the Paranoid Style(s) of Mass Opinion: Recent (2012) working paper from two professors of Political Science at the University of Chicago.
Conspiracy Theories: interesting draft article by two Law professors (University of Chicago & Harvard).
Of Conspiracy Theories: article with a philosophical approach.
Does it take one to know one? Endorsementof conspiracy theories is influenced by personal willingness to conspire: article with a psychological approach.
Thinking about "Conspiracy Theories": 9/11 and JFK: interesting draft chapter from a book on 9/11 conspiracy theories.
The Conspiracy Meme: Skeptical Inquirer column by a Rutgers sociologist. And while you're at the Skeptical Inquirer site, note that they have a regular feature called This Week in Conspiracy. For more, just type "conspiracy" into a site search slot (and/or click on Conspiracy Guy).
Conspiracy Theories Forum: from the James Randi Educational Foundation, this will keep you up on a wide range of current conspiracy theories.
Anit-Defamation League: founded in 1913 specifically to address the defamation of the Jewish people, this group covers the continuing belief in global Jewish/Zionist conspiracies. Just enter a site search on "conspiracy."
Top 10 Right-Wing Conspiracy Theories: from AlterNet, an "independent media" outlet.
A Few Liberal Conspiracy Theories: An academic's helpful summary.
Conspiracy Videos: A loose interpretation of "conspiracy" here, but this HowStuffWorks site provides a useful collection of conspiracy-themed videos.
Conspiracy Theory: A collection of articles and videos from ABC News.
Conspiracy Planet: an "alternative news" source claiming to be the "antidote" to "government propaganda."
Conspiracy Theories and Misinformation: from the U.S. Department of State (so can we believe their debunkings?).
Conspiracy Theory & Conspiracism: this is a tip-sheet from Butte College and includes a rhetorical analysis of conspiracy theory--just use the section headings linked on the left.
Conspiracy Theories, Magical Thinking, and the Paranoid Style(s) of Mass Opinion: Recent (2012) working paper from two professors of Political Science at the University of Chicago.
Conspiracy Theories: interesting draft article by two Law professors (University of Chicago & Harvard).
Of Conspiracy Theories: article with a philosophical approach.
Does it take one to know one? Endorsementof conspiracy theories is influenced by personal willingness to conspire: article with a psychological approach.
Thinking about "Conspiracy Theories": 9/11 and JFK: interesting draft chapter from a book on 9/11 conspiracy theories.
The Conspiracy Meme: Skeptical Inquirer column by a Rutgers sociologist. And while you're at the Skeptical Inquirer site, note that they have a regular feature called This Week in Conspiracy. For more, just type "conspiracy" into a site search slot (and/or click on Conspiracy Guy).
Conspiracy Theories Forum: from the James Randi Educational Foundation, this will keep you up on a wide range of current conspiracy theories.
Anit-Defamation League: founded in 1913 specifically to address the defamation of the Jewish people, this group covers the continuing belief in global Jewish/Zionist conspiracies. Just enter a site search on "conspiracy."
Top 10 Right-Wing Conspiracy Theories: from AlterNet, an "independent media" outlet.
A Few Liberal Conspiracy Theories: An academic's helpful summary.
Conspiracy Videos: A loose interpretation of "conspiracy" here, but this HowStuffWorks site provides a useful collection of conspiracy-themed videos.
Conspiracy Theory: A collection of articles and videos from ABC News.
Conspiracy Planet: an "alternative news" source claiming to be the "antidote" to "government propaganda."
Web Directories differ from search engines like Google in that all the online resources have been selected and annotated by editors, thereby promising a much higher degree of quality control. The biggest and best is the Open Directory Project:
- Open Directory Porject: Conspiracy
Ask.com: Conspiracy Theories: Always a nice alternative to Google and a good way of accessing Wikipedia. Be sure to scroll down to the alphabetical list of "pages" devoted to particular conspiracies.
MLA is the citation style used by most disciplines in the Humanities. The guides below use the latest 2008/9 standards.
