Conspiracy theory continues to enjoy a generally positive reception within many sectors of the contemporary North American anarchist movement. As this presentation will argue, conspiracy models of social reality consistently distort and obfuscate the power relations they purport to explain. Instead of examining or refuting specific instances of conspiracy thinking within the popular anarchist milieu, this analysis will concentrate on the logical structure of conspiracy theory as such, and attempt to illuminate its psychological, political, philosophical, and historical roots.

This is a recording of a 2 hours presentation given by Peter Staudenmaier at the 2004 Renewing the Anarchist Tradition conference at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont. 

Conspiracy Theory as a Substitute for Social Critique

Recorded and produced by George King. Thanks to the RAT conference organizers and presenters for making this event and recording possible.