ABSTRACT
Chapter 1 introduces the concept of conspiracy theories and the region under study. The Nordics – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden – are among the most prosperous, peaceful, and progressive countries in the world, characterized by high levels of political and social trust. This does not make the countries immune from conspiracy theories, whether homegrown or imported, although available data points to them being somewhat less prevalent than in the United States. Growing immigration, cultural backlash against liberal policies, and ever-increasing accessibility to international conspiracy theories may even have led to the rise of conspiracy theories in the region over the last few decades.
