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How do conspiracy theories differ from actual political conspiracies?
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conspiracy theory
U.S. Pres. John F. Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy minutes before the president was assassinated in Dallas, November 22, 1963.
A conspiracy theory is an explanation for a tragic or harmful event that attributes it to the secret actions of a powerful group, rejecting the official narrative. These theories often arise during times of anxiety, uncertainty, or hardship.12
An actual political conspiracy, in contrast, is a secret agreement between two or more individuals to commit an unlawful act or achieve a lawful goal through illegal means. These involve concrete plans and actions, often with legal consequences, rather than speculative explanations of events. Conspiracy theories are typically resistant to falsification and are often fueled by distrust of official sources.3452