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A Form of Apocalypse Now : Conspiracy Theories, Populism and Trust

Fridlund, Patrik LU orcid (2026) In Revue philosophique et théologique de Fribourg 73(1). p.141-166
Abstract
Many regard conspiracy theorists’ and populists’ struggle against ‘the ruling
elite’ as threatening Western liberal democracy. Sometimes this threat is
described in apocalyptic images, mirroring the apocalyptic tone in many
conspiracy theories and in much populist rhetoric. In this paper, I propound
considering a framework for a critical dialogue about conspiracy theories
and populism based on the understanding that trust is a fundamental cate -
gory, that belonging is of central importance to all of us when we accept cer -
tain discourses as more reliable than others, and finally that there are very
basic questions concerning human control and the place of agency to be
addressed.
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Revue philosophique et théologique de Fribourg
volume
73
issue
1
pages
26 pages
project
At the End of the World: A Transdisciplinary Approach to the Apocalyptic Imaginary in the Past and Present
Beyond Truth and Lies: Conspiracy Theories, Post-Truth, and the Conditions of Public Debate
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e29e6c46-ecbe-40da-bb76-0867836d3aa1
date added to LUP
2026-10-05 21:22:56
date last changed
2026-10-08 13:52:49
@article{e29e6c46-ecbe-40da-bb76-0867836d3aa1,
  abstract     = {{Many regard conspiracy theorists’ and populists’ struggle against ‘the ruling<br/>elite’ as threatening Western liberal democracy. Sometimes this threat is<br/>described in apocalyptic images, mirroring the apocalyptic tone in many<br/>conspiracy theories and in much populist rhetoric. In this paper, I propound<br/>considering a framework for a critical dialogue about conspiracy theories<br/>and populism based on the understanding that trust is a fundamental cate -<br/>gory, that belonging is of central importance to all of us when we accept cer -<br/>tain discourses as more reliable than others, and finally that there are very<br/>basic questions concerning human control and the place of agency to be<br/>addressed.}},
  author       = {{Fridlund, Patrik}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{141--166}},
  series       = {{Revue philosophique et théologique de Fribourg}},
  title        = {{A Form of Apocalypse Now : Conspiracy Theories, Populism and Trust}},
  volume       = {{73}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}