Peter Bath
Doctoral Student in Literature - Peter’s thesis is entitled 'Conspiracy after Liberalism: Conspiracy Theorist Responses to Conspiratorial Power'
Research Project Title:
Conspiracy after Liberalism: Conspiracy Theorist Responses to Conspiratorial Power
Supervisors:
Dr Robbie McLaughlan, Dr Joss Hands + Dr Tristan Sturm
Contact Details:
Email: p.l.bath1@newcastle.ac.uk
Research Interests
- Conspiracy Theories
- Platform Capitalism
- Post-liberal Political Theory
- Neoliberalism and Post-neoliberalism
- Populism and the New Right
- The Intersection of Culture and Politics
Brief Outline of Research Project:
My research explores the relationship between conspiracy theory, Big Tech and the post-liberal politics of the New Right. Drawing on critical theory, I investigate how conspiracy theories offer distorted but seductive interpretations of the crises faced by neoliberal capitalism since 2008. I analyse how these narratives are shaped by the economic and technological conditions of platform capitalism, through social media, podcasting and streaming. I also critique the post-liberal ideology and theology of the ascendant coalition of New Right politicians and tech oligarchs who profit from such conspiracy theories, focussing on figures like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, J.D. Vance and Curtis Yarvin and the narratives they exploit.