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Keynote Sophia Moskalenko, Georgia State University

The Role of Conspiracy Theories and Ideology in Mass Radicalization

In the recent past, the advent of the Internet, social media, and mobile devices have fundamentally altered radicalization. The modern communication capabilities simplified and amplified the spread of radicalizing narratives, including conspiracy theories, radical ideologies and propaganda. Among consequences of this change are the emergence of online radical groups such as QAnon and Incels, as well as the widespread reach of Russian government propaganda that preceded and accompanied Russia's large-scale war against Ukraine. Conspiracy theories and ideology that birthed QAnon, Incels and pro-Russian radicalism (Rashism) all contain pseudo-scientific claims that strain credulity, at times bordering on the ridiculous. Another commonality is the disconnect between the ideology in each of these movements and action by its members. The field of radicalization research has been circling the issue of ideology for decades, but major stumbling blocks to our understanding of ideology remain. I will discuss these, as well as what I think are productive ways to conceptualize ideology, and how best to address the radicalization that it represents.

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