How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them

Stanley describes the public space created by fascist politics as an “unreality” born of the techniques described in the earlier chapters. By replacing reasoned debate with fear and anger in the public discourse, fascist politicians create a void in which truth is replaced with power.   

Stanley characterizes conspiracy theories as symptomatic of fascist politics. Drawing on Nazi conspiracy theories about the Jews and the bizarre “Pizzagate” allegations made against Hillary Clinton and Democrats in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Stanley explains that conspiracy theories denigrate by association and innuendo. This is also illustrated by the “birtherism” conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama was born in Kenya, promoted by Trump from 2012 onward. Plainly and demonstrably false, the point of the theory was simply to malign Obama and castigate the media, not to promote accurate information or understanding.

Relying on the work of Hannah Arendt, Stanley explains that conspiracy theories appeal to an audience that discounts its own experience in favor of that which is consistent within itself and consistently repeated. Accuracy is irrelevant because the true appeal of conspiracy theories is not about rational thought.