Modern conspiracy theories are a radical expression of a widely
observed trend towards mistrust and suspicion of government
experienced in the advanced democracies over the last half century.
Yet the advanced democracies have also seen a remarkable rise in
practices of transparency of government, both formally, in the shape
of freedom of information laws, and informally, through the internet
and other forms of mass communication. What is the relationship
between ideals of transparency and fears of conspiracy? I will begin
by discussing the concept of conspiracy theory and the relation
between secrecy and publicity. I will then consider the passage of the
Freedom of Information Act in the USA in 1966 and its amendments over
the subsequent decade, paying particular attention to its relation to
both real conspiracies and conspiracy theories over this period. I
will conclude with reflections on the relationship between
transparency and suspicion of democracy.
