Issue Conspiracy theories deepening affective polarisation

Summary

The report holds that conspiracy theories can intensify affective polarisation in society. Affective polarisation describes a state in which strong sympathy for one's own political group and strong dislike or distrust of other groups matter more than disagreements on substance. Populist conspiracy theories that frame the world as a contest of us against them, the people against the elite, have this effect in particular. Within that frame, opponents are treated not as people with different views but as ill-intentioned, foolish and threatening enemies. The report warns that this can go as far as legitimising extremist acts, as in the storming of the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, and that it threatens democracy and social cohesion.