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Believing in Conspiracy Theories: Evidence from an Exploratory Analysis of Italian Survey Data

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  • Moreno Mancosu
  • Salvatore Vassallo
  • Cristiano Vezzoni

Abstract

Beliefs in conspiracy theories have attracted significant international media attention in recent years. This phenomenon has been studied in the US but while anecdotal evidence suggests it is also widespread among the Italian public, little evidence has been collected to assess it empirically. Using data from a 2016 survey, this pioneering study of the Italian case investigates the extent of diffusion of conspiracy theories among Italians and tests several hypotheses concerning individual determinants. The paper finds that conspiracism is indeed widely diffused in Italy. It is negatively associated with education and positively with religiosity, while no correlation is found with political trust. Beliefs in conspiracies are also related to rightwing orientation and support for the populist Five Star Movement.

Suggested Citation

  • Moreno Mancosu & Salvatore Vassallo & Cristiano Vezzoni, 2017. "Believing in Conspiracy Theories: Evidence from an Exploratory Analysis of Italian Survey Data," South European Society and Politics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(3), pages 327-344, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:fsesxx:v:22:y:2017:i:3:p:327-344
    DOI: 10.1080/13608746.2017.1359894
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    Cited by:

    1. Nefes, Türkay Salim & Präg, Patrick & Romero-Reche, Alejandro & Pereira-Puga, Manuel, 2023. "Believing in conspiracy theories in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic: Drivers and public health implications," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    2. Riccardo Ladini & Nicola Maggini, 2023. "The role of party preferences in explaining acceptance of freedom restrictions in a pandemic context: the Italian case," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(1), pages 99-123, April.

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