Radical Right and Conspiracy

Abstract

This panel advances a comparative and explanatory perspective on the relationship between radical right politics and conspiracy theories by focusing on why conspiracy narratives matter politically, even in contexts where they should matter least. Bringing together analyses of elite discourse and mass attitudes, the panel conceptualizes conspiracy beliefs as part of broader political logics rather than as isolated belief systems. In doing so, the panel treats conspiracy beliefs as a politically meaningful orientation that can connect elite communication and citizen responses. The panel adopts a comparative perspective across wealthy, long-established Western European democracies to demonstrate that conspiratorial politics is not confined to fragile or transitional systems. Examining “least likely” cases allows the panel to probe the broader relevance of conspiracy narratives within consolidated democratic settings, without presuming institutional weakness or democratic breakdown. By combining diverse methodological approaches and levels of analysis, the panel aims to advance a more politically grounded understanding of conspiracy beliefs and their role in radical right mobilization, contributing to debates on contemporary political conflict and democratic resilience in Europe.

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