Joseph Uscinski Conspiracy Theory

Joseph Uscinski and colleagues delve into and tackle the prevalence, frequency, and predisposition for conspiracy theories in our society. Uscinski and others found several predispositions the most notably and potentially influential being the partisan predisposition. Today, the bipartisan line seems very clear and the parties are very divided to the point where legislation and government is plausibly affected. Uscinski’s findings in The Effect of Conspiratorial Thinking and Motivated Reasoning on Belief in Election Fraud show that depending on the party one identifies with influences whom they believe are behind electoral fraud (Edelson, 11). Furthermore, the same individuals that blame the opposing partisan party refuse to acknowledge that their own party may be responsible for committing electoral fraud (Edelson, 11). With that being said, when one party is found to have lost an election the …show more content…
According to Uscinski, conspiracy theories have the potential and power to cause a loss in confidence of the government and the policies they institute (Uscinski, 2). Even more potentially influential is the fact that Uscinski cites a study that found that conspiracy theories perpetuate stereotypes and elevate “negative attitudes toward civil liberties and human rights” (Uscinski, 2). Therefore, if these findings are correct, electing an individual such as Trump who has been openly bigoted, making several racist and misogynistic claims, then the continual theories that Trump has made may further set back the many gains that the United States has made to have more equal human rights based on race, sex, gender, and sexual orientation. This is just one impact that conspiracy theories can have on society and it is for this reason that it is imperative to be conscious of conspiracy theories on American elections, government, government policies, and American society as a