Summary Of The Idea Of Conspiracy In Mccarthy Era Politics

Could the allure of conspiracy theories be more than just a byproduct of skepticism, but a reflection of societal anxieties and the erosion of trust in institutions? In “The Idea of Conspiracy in McCarthy Era Politics,” Richard M. Fried warns of conspiracy infiltrating politics and the minds of American citizens. Following the Cold War, America found itself in a period of heightened tension and distrust. McCarthy capitalized on post-war paranoia to amplify the Red Scare, spreading accusations, and fueled speculation, illustrating the inevitability of mass political phenomena like McCarthyism. Exploiting the widespread paranoia of the American public post-war, McCarthy gained influence by playing on the fear of citizens. Displaying that “Cold War tension” was spreading through America added to McCarathy’s “melodramatic and specific” …show more content…
By listing events, the author supports his claim that people are more receptive to conspiracy theories when there is distrust and paranoia. Even though McCarthy was removed from government by Republicans, Fried illustrates that he left lasting “damage done by the broader phenomenon. McCarthyism” (49), and displays the influence he gained because the public saw him as the man who would rid America of Communism. Leading to conspiracy theories within politics, McCarthy augmented the Red Scare with accusations of Communist affiliation. McCarthy, who was not a prominent politician, utilized the fear of Communism to create speculation and distrust within the government. To achieve this, in a public speech, McCarthy accused “205” government officials of being members of the Communist Party (Fried 44). Fried points out that McCarthy later “waffled on what he said” at a different public address; additionally, this shows that McCarthy’s bold accusations did not have merit