On Conspiracies and Theories
- cui bono?
- to whose benefit? (from Latin)
A conspiracy may be defined as a plot between a group of people to commit an unlawful act – though, more generally, the concept of a conspiracy is known to mean an arrangement between a group of people to commit an act which, if revealed for its intent, would prove to be a scandal for the parties involved. Legality has fallen out of favor in the definition of a conspiracy for, while many conspiracies do involve illicit activity of some variety, the inner workings behind the rule of law have become a conspiracy unto themselves.
Consider the state secrets privilege as it applies to the immunity of telecommunications companies which disclosed information to law enforcement without observing due process, or the legality of Executive Orders (which, by their nature, are never brought to a vote). Rights are violated and wars are fought in the name of freedom because law is open to interpretation for those with the right level of privilege.
The concept of a conspiracy theory follows that of a conspiracy – the conspiracy theory is the idea of an arrangement between a group of people to commit an act which, if revealed for its intent, would prove to be a scandal for the parties involved. Conveniently enough, the term “conspiracy theory” receives a fair share of derision. Ideas determined to fall under the umbrella of conspiracy theories are quickly dismissed.
Consider some of the long list of ideas labeled conspiracy theories – many have no proof, many seem ridiculous, and all go against the grain of conventional wisdom (which, first and foremost, suggests that one should not advance theories which go against the grain of conventional wisdom).
Are some of these purported theories viable enough and profitable enough to garner the interest of those in a position to carry them out? Certainly – it stands to reason that the Business Plot, for example, truly occurred and, were it merely disseminated as a conspiracy theory, it would likely re-emerge as a bona fide conspiracy grounded in a highly-favorable risk/reward (plausible denial/greater power) ratio for an opportunistic business cabal.
The conscious decision made to file away conclusions which point to unethical business dealings which bleed into political dealings (and vice versa) under the blanket term of “conspiracy theories” is rarely made by an individual trained to identify anything which does not match the prevailing opinion and sanctioned story with chop-logic and psychosis.
The reality which is to be ignored: plutocrats run the show. They are willing to stoop lower, attack more viciously, and pursue control by any means without regard to the well-being of their opponents or constituents. They will not give up their positions, nor should they be expected to change. Money has proven an effective means for them to abstract their dominance from deception, physical slavery, brutality, and murder – but that does not mean they will not resort to these tactics time and again when there’s profit to be had.
