| Abstract [eng] |
Acceptance of conspiracy theory poses challenges on national and global level, making it an important topic to be studied in recent years. Nevertheless, the broad attention on individual level factors that influence conspiracy theory acceptance, macro-level factors are less identified especially in the context of the Baltic and Central European states posing a need to research in-depth and contribute to this study field. Therefore, the question arises what macro-level factors motivates conspiracy theory acceptance in the nations since recent studies suggest different conspiracy theory endorsement across the countries. Keeping that in mind, this research aims to identify which macro-level factors are associated with willingness to accept conspiracy theories in the Baltic and Central European states. While applying critical literature review, objectives of the work are to describe concept of conspiracy theories and identify main macro-level factors that have influence in conspiracy theory acceptance. Then, using a secondary data analysis to evaluate macro-level factor influence in conspiracy theory acceptance in the Baltic and Central European states during 2020–2022 while applying correlation and regression methods. The main findings show that conspiracy theory is a complex social construct which is purposely intended to create oppositional attitudes in order to provoke, manipulate and achieve financial or political gains while presenting no evidence to ground the statement. Therefore, cultural values, context of historical circumstances, social identity, economy, political orientations, and corruption are main macro-level factors that influence willingness to accept conspiracy theories differently across the countries. Especially in the Baltic and Central European states influence is indicated by power distance, individualism-collectivism, political stability and absence of violence/terrorism, exclusion by socio-economic factors, GDP per capita, unemployment rate and democracy index. These elements all together can highly predict conspiracy theory acceptance variation in the countries. Specifically, the unemployment rate has been analyzed to have a crucial impact in conspiracy theory acceptance. It must be noted that conspiracy theory acceptance during 2020 and 2022 has not been significantly different, suggesting that a supportive attitude on conspiracy theory is rooted in the society which makes the country more prone to conspiracy theories in general. The findings highly suggest paying attention to available tools and methods which would lower the motivation to accept conspiracy theories while increasing trust of institutions, lowering unemployment rate, educating on how to identify false stories in social media and other platforms, creating a well-informed society. The structure of the thesis consists of chapter dedicated to critically defining conspiracy theory concept, its characteristics, and reasons for conspiracy theory functioning. Second chapter analysis empirical research and literature that focuses on macro level factors that have been identified by scholars. Main part of the work is dedicated to presenting research methodology and results which are interpreted and discussed while applying comparative analysis of statistical data. Suggestions for future research and limitations are identified to continue the study in a more complex way. |
