Paper short abstract:

The capacity of conspiracy theories is particularly interesting in the light of political mobilisation of voters and their emotions within public space. The crucial efficiency of this phenomenon will be presented through an example of activism of several influential right-wing oriented political parties and NGOs in contemporary Serbia.

Paper long abstract:

Conspiracy theories represent a universal phenomenon that is based on synthesized and compound cognitions (very often wrong ones) that form particular belief system. In private as well as in public domain, conspiracy theories embody cognitive apparatus which enables individuals and groups to acquire "knowledge" and explanations about those levels of reality that usually seem to be exclusive, covered and controlled by alleged power centres. Therefore, the aim of this paper is the analysis of conspiracy theories which, according to specific and different social-political circumstances and social context in general, exist as alternative regimes of truth or/and the resource of political legitimacy.

Particular attention here will be focused on those conspiracy theories that might serve as one of the main strongholds of political ideology and legitimacy of ruling or oppositional parties that, thanks to attractiveness of such theories, try to influence emotions and orientation of voters. According to this, the paper analyses connection between conspiracy theories and discourse of hard euroscepticizm in contemporary Serbia, namely its instrumentalization by political parties gathered around nationalist coalition and right-wing oriented NGOs, with the aim to proselytize trust for ides and programs they propagate. Therefore, I will try to present function of conspiracy theories, within political agenda of mentioned actors, in shaping negative emotions and mistrust towards the European Union. In another words, conspiracy theories will be analyzed as means for political mobilization of voters and sympathizers in the process of straightening euroscepticism in Serbia.