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A conspiracy theory attempts to attribute the ultimate cause of an event or chain of events (usually Political , Social , or Historical events), or the concealment of such causes from Public knowledge, to a Secret , and often Deceptive plot by a Covert Alliance of powerful or influential people or organizations. Many conspiracy theories say that major events in history have been dominated by conspirators who manipulate political happenings from behind the scenes. TERMINOLOGY The term "conspiracy theory" may be a neutral descriptor for any Conspiracy claim. To ''conspire'' means "to join in a secret agreement to do an unlawful or wrongful act or to use such means to accomplish a lawful end."Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, p. 243 (8th ed. 1976). However, conspiracy ''theory'' is also used to indicate a Narrative Genre that includes a broad selection of (not necessarily related) arguments for the existence of grand conspiracies, any of which might have far-reaching social and political implications if true. The first recorded use of the phrase "conspiracy theory" dates to the year 1909. Originally a neutral term, the term from about the 1960's acquired its current and more specific meaning. "20th Century Words" (1999) John Ayto, Oxford University Press, page 15 It entered the supplement to the Oxford English Dictionary as late as 1997. Plots, paranoia and blame by Peter Knight, BBC News 7 Dec 2006 In an early essay by Daniel Pipes "adapted from a study prepared for the CIA", Pipes attempts to pin down what beliefs distinguish 'the conspiracy mentality' from 'more conventional patterns of thought': ''appearances deceive; conspiracies drive history; nothing is haphazard; the enemy always gains; power, fame, money, and sex account for all'' Daniel Pipes, in ''Orbis'', Winter 1992: "Dealing with Middle Eastern Conspiracy Theories". The term "conspiracy theory" is used by mainstream scholars and in Popular Culture to identify a type of Folklore similar to an Urban Legend , especially an explanatory narrative which is constructed with particular Methodological flaws.Johnson, 1983 The term is also used Pejorative ly to dismiss claims that are alleged by critics to be misconceived, paranoid, unfounded, outlandish, irrational, or otherwise unworthy of serious consideration. For example "Conspiracy nut" and "conspiracy theorist" are used as pejorative terms. Some whose theories or speculations are labeled a "conspiracy theory" reject the term as prejudicial. Whether or not a particular conspiracy allegation may be impartially or neutrally labeled a conspiracy theory is subject to Some Controversy . Conspiracy theory has become a highly charged political term, and the broad critique of 'conspiracy theorists' by Academics , Politicians , Psychologists , and the Media cuts across traditional left-right political lines. |
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