The Instrumentalization of Fear in Conspiracy Discourse

Inštrumentalizácia strachu v konšpirátorskom diskurze

Simona FRAŠTÍKOVÁ 

https://doi.org/10.53465/JAP.2025.9788022552806.100-111

 

Abstract: This study explores how the emotion of fear is instrumentalized in conspiracy discourse. In this context, fear is portrayed as a tool employed by those in power to ensure the obedience of ordinary people. Within conspiracy discourse, however, the audience is often urged not to be afraid and to break away from the compliant crowd. The analysis of German-language texts and posts demonstrates that, despite this rhetoric of courage, the discourse persistently relies on the notion of imminent danger. Fear thus serves as a rhetorical strategy for mobilizing and uniting an alternative community.

Keywords: emotion, fear, manipulation, conspiratorial discourse 

Kľúčové slová: emócie, strach, manipulácia, konšpirátorský diskurz

Fulltext: PDF

Language of the paper: Slovak

Online publication date: 23 December 2025

Pages: 100 – 111

 

ISBN: 978-80-225-5280-6 (online), 978-80-225-5279-0

ISSN: 2729-8973 (online), 2729-8981

Publisher: Bratislava University of Economics and Business, Vydavateľstvo Ekonóm

 

How to cite this conference proceedings paper (APA 7^th Edition):

Fraštíková, S. (2025). Inštrumentalizácia strachu v konšpirátorskom diskurze. In R. Štefančík (Ed.), Jazyk a politika. Na pomedzí lingvistiky a politológie X (pp. 100–111). Vydavateľstvo Ekonóm. https://doi.org/10.53465/JAP.2025.9788022552806.100-111