Routledge handbook of conspiracy theories Taking a global and interdisciplinary approach the Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories provides a comprehensive overview of conspiracy theories as an important social cultural and political phenomenon in contemporary life. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Contributors Acknowledgements General Introduction References Section 1 Definitions and approaches Introduction References 1 Conceptual history and conspiracy theory Introduction Conceptual history as a methodology The merger of conspiracy and theory References 2 Conspiracy theory in historical cultural and literary studies Introduction Historical studies Cultural studies Literary studies Conclusion References 3 Semiotic approaches to conspiracy theories Introduction Main characteristics of conspiracist semiosis Code text as a unifying mechanism of conspiracist semiosis Conspiracy theories as representations Conspiracy theories as a mechanism of identity creation Autocommunication and self description of conspiracy theorists Conclusion and future directions Note References 4 Philosophy and conspiracy theories Introduction The question of the definition The epistemic status of conspiracy theories The ethics of conspiracy theories The fight against conspiracy theories Conclusion Notes References 5 Psychoanalysis critical theory and conspiracy theory Introduction: Beyond realist and symbolist approaches The pathologisation of conspiracy theory Psychoanalytic accounts of paranoia in social theory Symptomatic readings Lacanian accounts of conspiracist desire Conspiracy theory and fantasy Lacan and the normalisation of paranoia Conclusion References 6 Conspiracy theory as occult cosmology in anthropology Introduction: Disciplinary foundations The problem of definitions Witchcraft as ordinary and extraordinary Fear of satanic cults in the U.K. and elsewhere The ambivalence of close relations.