Abstract
This paper examines the relation between the circulation of online memes and the rise of Right-wing populism in the West. At first, memes were often humorous images seeking to cause laughter and gain attention, but they soon spread to be symbols and vehicles of reactionary rage and subversion. As images, memes have the ability to activate unconscious magical thinking, which can lead to a pursuit of conspiracy theories to explain a complex and ambiguous world. Throughout my study, I use psychoanalysis to interpret the role that memes have played in contemporary politics.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Memes Populism, Psychoanalysis, Conspiracy Theories, Right-wing
