Conspiracy Theories and Latin American History

Luis Roniger is Reynolds Professor Emeritus of Latin American Studies, Politics and International Affairs at Wake Forest University, USA, and Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Latin American Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.Leonardo Senkman is Research Fellow in the Harry Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.

• Introduction 1. The Logic of Conspiracy Thought 2. Conspiratorial Thinking and Social Exorcism 3. Historiography and the Political Use of Conspiracy Theories 4. Conspiracy Theories and the Assertion of Hidden Enemies 5. International Wars, Imperialist Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories 6. Political Polarization, Intrigues and Conspiracy Theories 7. Geopolitics, Intrigues and Conspiracy Theories 8. A Quarter Century of Argentine Intrigues and Conspiracies Conclusion

"Due to its theoretical perspective and the multiple case studies it addresses, this book illuminates the historical context of emergence of Latin American conspiracy theories, and, at the same time, calls us to reflect on the political culture of our time. The work has global relevance, as it dialogues and questions features of contemporary culture and the dire challenges we face living in democracy."Emilio Crenzel, Professor of Sociology at the National University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and author of The Memory of the Argentina Disappearances"Conspiracy theories in Latin America get little if any coverage in English language literature. This book remedies that omission with sophisticated analysis and fascinating, deeply researched narratives."Michael Barkun, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Syracuse University, USA, and author of A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America