The first conspiracy theories started ricocheting around the internet within minutes of the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump. With the backdrop of a heated political campaign, extreme political polarization, and an unfettered social-media ecosystem, such a momentous event — the first time a current or former president has been wounded in an assassination attempt since 1981 — was bound to stir up political passions. Landing at this moment in U.S. history, though, it has the potential to turn the tenor of political discourse exceptionally dark, with serious antidemocratic implications.

Conspiracy theories are not necessarily antidemocratic. People are naturally inclined to seek out simple explanations in a complex world, which can restore one’s sense of control. Conspiracy theories can be a source of amusement and fun — a form of participatory storytelling, especially if done collectively. In articulating suspicion of powerful people, who are imagined to be conniving at the expense of the common good, conspiracy theories can be an imperfect way to hold corrupt elites accountable or call attention to flaws in the political system.

When it comes to politics, the formation of coalitions and sustained criticism of political adversaries are integral to democratic competition. If negative campaigning was not an effective way to win votes, politicians wouldn’t engage in it. Sometimes politicians’ (poll-tested) rhetoric is heated, unfair, untrue, or just plain mean. The distance from making exaggerated accusations against political rivals to promoting conspiracy claims against them may be only a matter of degree rather than of kind. Such tactics may be unpleasant, but in the hypercompetitive world of electoral politics they are often considered part of the game.

Conspiratorial appeals may also succeed politically, especially among voters who are disillusioned with the status quo. After all, corruption is a fact of life in many countries. People who have lived under corrupt regimes or perceive the system as rigged may see conspiracy theories as a reasonable approximation of reality.

Read the full article about conspiracy theories by Scott Radnitz at Journal of Democracy.