Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/265986 
Year of Publication: 
2022
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 9951
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
Although many virtuous leaders are guided by the ideal of prioritizing the need and welfare of their subordinates, others advance their self-interest at the expense of the people they purport to serve. In this article, we discuss the relationship between leadership and the spread of conspiracy theories. We propose that leaders spread conspiracy theories in service of four primary goals: 1) to attack opponents; 2) to increase support from their ingroup members; 3) to shift blame and responsibility; and 4) to undermine institution that threaten their power. We argue that populist and conservative leaders are most likely to spread conspiracy theories during periods of instability.
Subjects: 
conspiracy theories sharing
leadership
authoritarian leaders
Document Type: 
Working Paper
Appears in Collections:

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.