The Image of the West in Conspiracy Theories in Slovakia and Its Historical Context
The Image of the West in Conspiracy Theories in Slovakia and Its Historical Context

Summary/Abstract: This paper presents one of the typical features of conspiracy theories – the dualistic worldview, which explains important events as a consequence of hidden struggle between ‘Us’ and the dark forces. An example of this characteristic also presents the dichotomous terms ‘West’ and ‘East’, which have their set of geopolitical and cultural (as well as axiological) connotations. As a political and moral concept, ‘West’ is particularly highly utilised in the conspiratorial discourse in Slovakia. The paper attempts to discuss the functions of this concept in rumours and conspiracy theories with regard to the local historical context, and to reveal its ties to other images of the ‘enemy’, frequently used in rumours circulating on popular Slovak websites. Besides conspiracy theories as such, the focus of the analysis is set also on the narratives (among others also urban legends) supporting conspiratorial suspicions, as well as on various kinds of argumentation strategies leading to cooperation (or even fusion) of seemingly contradictory ideological worldviews (left- and right-wing supporters, Christians and white supremacists, etc.).

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