Populism and Conspiracy - a European Study by the University of Salzburg
The study, funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), addresses the growing radicalisation of political and public discourse, particularly in relation to science and expertise – most notably within the health sector. It aims to understand how populist figures strategically employ conspiracy narratives, the forms these narratives take, and their impact on society.
Four countries under the spotlight
The focus lies on four countries – Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and France – where right-wing populist parties are especially prominent.
In this joint endeavour, the University of Lausanne systematically analysed populist and conspiratorial rhetoric in speeches and texts, while the University of Salzburg examined public attitudes. Through experimental surveys, researchers investigated which factors increase susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs related to COVID-19, science, immigration, and climate change.
A key challenge is distinguishing conspiracy beliefs from other radical or anti-establishment positions.
The project also seeks to foreground political factors in a field traditionally dominated by psychological and media-based explanations, while critically assessing the relevance of theories developed in Anglo-American contexts.
This research provides valuable insights into the relationship between populism, conspiratorial thinking, and health communication – laying the groundwork for strategies to counter the effects of medical conspiracy theories and contributing meaningfully to science, policy, and public understanding.
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