"America – and Western Civilization As a Whole – Was Founded On a Conspiracy Theory"

Political science professor Lance deHaven-Smith has documented in a soon-to-be-released book that conspiracy theories were considered as American as apple pie all through American history … up until very recently.

Source: "America – and Western Civilization As a Whole – Was Founded On a Conspiracy Theory"

I'm definitely going to add that book to my reading list. Some other quotes from the long piece:

Indeed, the entire idea of democracy – going back to ancient Greece – is based on a conspiracy theory as well: that leaders who make decisions without input from the public will not treat the people as well as if they have a chance to vote. This is another form of “separation of powers”, as it creates checks and balances between the decision-making power of the government and that of the people.

Indeed conspiracy is a very well-recognized crime in American law, taught to every first-year law school student as part of their basic curriculum. Telling a judge that someone has a “conspiracy theory” would be like telling him that someone is claiming that he trespassed on their property, or committed assault, or stole his car. It is a fundamental legal concept.

Moreover, those who think that co-conspirators will brag about their deeds forget that people in the military or intelligence or who have huge sums of money on the line can be very disciplined. They are not likely to go to the bar and spill the beans like a down-on-their-luck, second-rate alcoholic robber might do.

I searched ATS and didn't see this posted so hopefully it's not a duplicate. Enjoy! -Mags

It wasnt a theory. Thats how it played out more often than not.

However I will concede that the therm conspiracy theory is used abusively in many instances. For example, when somebody lists facts, such as that the ISI in Pakistan funneled money to the taliban obtained by the Saudis or that the Bushs and Bin Ladens enjoyed close relations or that never a pic of the slain Bin Laden was made public, it is not a conspiracy yet. Its a stating of facts. If you hypotetise based on the facts you have, like saying the Saudis were directed by America to fund the Taliban, without having any proof, only then you are spinning a theory.

The problem with conspiracy theories?

Sometimes, somebody gets too close to the truth. It may not be THE truth. Though it probably makes some people very uncomfortable. Hence why conspiracies are dismissed as crazy talk.

Sad since some of those people, some here on ATS, are some of the most down to earth, knowledgeable, and nicest people you will ever have the pleasure to converse with. These are the people who can change the world. They are feared no doubt.