ABSTRACT
When discussing the relationship between conspiracy beliefs and power, it is a useful start to put out largely consensual definitions of both and analyse connections already at a basic semantic level. Prototypical conspiracy theories go beyond the omission aspect by being enriched with explanations of why certain actors have an interest in having these specifically harmful substances on the market. This leads to the very basic concept that a conspiracy belief is the belief that some people have conspired with the intent to harm other people. A basic conceptualisation would be that someone has power to the extent that he or she can exert an influence on others, thus alter another person’s condition or state of mind by either providing or withholding resources. Potentially most relevant for a discussion in relation to conspiracy beliefs is the connection between power and control.
