Conspiracy theories are no longer confined to the margins of society. Once dismissed as eccentric beliefs circulating within isolated communities, they have increasingly entered mainstream political discourse, influencing public opinion, electoral dynamics and democratic institutions. From the rise of populist movements to the spread of anti-vaccine narratives during the COVID-19 pandemic, conspiratorial thinking has become a powerful force in contemporary politics, raising urgent questions about the relationship between disinformation, extremism and democracy.
How do ideas that originate in marginal political environments become part of mainstream public debate? What makes conspiracy narratives so appealing, and how do they spread across national borders? More importantly, what happens when political actors begin to adopt and legitimise ideas that were once considered too extreme for institutional politics?
These questions are at the heart of an interview with Leonardo Bianchi, Italian journalist, writer and expert on conspiracy theories, political extremism and radical movements, conducted by Sara Bertolli, journalist at Focus Europe Italia, within the framework of the European project CONSPIRE – CONSPIracism and RAdicalisation Risks in Europe.
Funded by the Erasmus+ programme and coordinated by the University of Turin, CONSPIRE brings together European universities and CESUE/Focus Europe to investigate conspiracy theories and radicalisation risks while developing innovative educational approaches to strengthen critical thinking, media literacy and democratic participation. Running from 2024 to 2027, the project combines academic research, non-formal education, participatory workshops and community engagement. The interview is part of the Conspiracy Pills, a series of contributions from academics and professionals designed to provide students with different perspectives on the mechanisms, social consequences and political implications of conspiratorial thinking.
Drawing on his extensive journalistic experience, including his work for VICE, his books and his newsletter dedicated to conspiracy theories, Bianchi explores how extremist ideas gradually move from the political fringes into the mainstream. Through examples ranging from QAnon and its Italian manifestations to the so-called sovereign citizens movement, he illustrates how seemingly implausible beliefs can acquire political relevance, mobilise communities and challenge established democratic principles.
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Particular attention is devoted to the relationship between conspiracy narratives and far-right political movements. Building on the themes explored in his book “La prima goccia della tempesta”, Bianchi examines the connections between extremist networks, nationalist movements and institutional politics, highlighting how ideas originating in radical environments can influence broader political agendas. His analysis also addresses the growing transnational circulation of conspiratorial narratives, particularly the influence of American political developments on European public debate.
The conversation also offers an insight into the role of journalism in understanding these phenomena. Rather than focusing exclusively on exposing individual conspiracy theories, Bianchi advocates an explanatory approach that connects political events, ideological movements and their wider social contexts. Understanding where these ideas come from, how they evolve and why they resonate with certain audiences is essential to recognising their potential impact.
Ultimately, the interview highlights the importance of taking conspiracy theories seriously without sensationalising them. Their influence cannot be understood simply by dismissing those who believe in them as irrational or uninformed. Instead, they must be examined as complex social and political phenomena, often rooted in broader concerns about identity, sovereignty, institutional trust and democratic representation.
In an increasingly polarised information environment, Bianchi’s reflections reinforce one of the central ambitions of CONSPIRE: equipping students and citizens with the analytical tools needed to understand the connections between disinformation, political radicalisation and democratic vulnerability. Because understanding what happens at the margins of politics may be essential to understanding the future of democracy itself.
