A Paranoid Style? : The JFK Assassination and the Politics and Culture of Conspiracy Theory

This thesis analyses the phenomenon of conspiracy theory, using the assassination of President John F. Kennedy as a case study. Doubt is the root cause of conspiracy theory, stemming from both the innate biases all humans exhibit, and a traumatic experience – in this case the assassination of JFK. This thesis argues that conspiracy theories are created and take hold because of a predisposition toward conspiracy theory, a misinterpretation of a central piece of evidence, such as the Zapruder film, and agency panic, where dispossession causes one to feel as if their agency is under threat. Conspiracy theory can provide believers with many emotions which appear to the individual to not be available elsewhere, namely closure, comfort, control, and a sense of leisure. Using the assassination of JFK, this thesis examines the role of conspiracy theory in modern American society. It weighs up the benefits of conspiracy theory, such as it is an example of free speech and it can aid transparency, with the negatives: that it can possibly cause harm to its adherents and their dependants because of a belief in ends justifying the means. The conspiracy theory of David Lifton and how he came to form his ideas, and how Oliver Stone’s movie JFK forced a huge document release will also be examined. The study of conspiracy theory itself is oft bifurcated. Humanities scholars tend to look at the implications of conspiracy theory on society. On the other hand, those which have a background in social sciences usually focus on what causes people to accept and believe in conspiracy theory. Conspiracy theory, however, is a complex issue, and this division leaves one with an incomplete picture. By taking an interdisciplinary approach, one can better understand both why conspiracy theory is so prevalent and how it became that way.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

other

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of East Anglia

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Broadbent, Joseph

Language dc:language

en