ABSTRACT
The introduction sets out the central questions the book will answer, and establishes the central contention that conspiracy theories, including Covid-19 conspiracy theories, often reflect genuine and legitimate concerns, even if their factual claims are wide of the mark. It then addresses the question of whether the coronavirus pandemic has produced a “perfect storm” of misinformation and conspiracy theories, making the case that, although conditions have made the situation worse, the situation is not unprecedented because conspiracy interpretations have long been widespread. The introduction then explains some of the main terms used in the book, as well as the starting assumptions and data hermeneutic methodology. Finally, it provides a summary of each chapter.
