Rumours and conspiracy theories during a pandemic Are we afraid of the same thing all over the world?

Abstract

In a previous study, I investigated the relationship between government communication and rumour mongering, mainly regarding the creation/formation of the enemy image. I have found that local political intentions and cultural experience have a significant influence on local versions of what is perceived as global phenomena, while conspiracy theories about the activities of foreign powers that threaten all of humanity are appearing almost everywhere in the world. In this paper, I will attempt to examine the attitudes that characterise the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, both in relation to the pandemic, its causes and agents, and to the measures taken by political institutions (especially vaccination). I look for possible motivations and cultural embeddedness of typical conspiracy theories.