COVID-19 and the Integrative Power of Conspiracy Theories in Social Movements: A Frame Analysis of the German Querdenken Movement

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the strategic role of conspiracy theories in social movements’ framing activities. By observing and analyzing speeches held in the context of a German COVID-19 protest movement, the present work attempts to move the topic of conspiracy theories beyond conventional explanations that tend to pathologize the phenomenon. Despite the general wealth of scholarly contributions in the field of conspiracy theories, literature regarding their role in social movements is surprisingly scarce. Hence, against the theoretical backdrop of social movement, framing and conspiracy research, this paper proposes conspiratorial framing as an a hitherto underrepresented, inherently strategic, and social constructionist approach to conspiracy theories. Ultimately, the thesis aims to forward an academical debate about the so far mostly disregarded strategic usage of conspiracy theories in social movements. Conspiracy theories appear to be flexible and inclusive framing tools that can render the movement accessible to a broad audience. Due to the complexity reducing nature of conspiracy theories, speakers were able to address epistemic as well as existential needs of their audience better than the hegemonic knowledge. Regarding the social role conspiracy theories perform within social movements, it is found that they can foster group cohesion and collective identity. However, conspiracy theories as stigmatized knowledge can also undermine the movement’s credibility and impede mobilization. Furthermore, conspiratorial framing runs at risk to involuntarily encourage fatalism among the movements adherents.