THE CONSPIRACY THEORY OF THE AGES, AND POWERFUL DELUSIONS

There have probably always been conspiracy theories in circulation. But while living in and attending college on The Island of Jamaica during the early ’70’s I was made acutely aware of them. Most theories were circulated by the political Right and they specifically stated that The Manley Regime was conspiring with Fidel Castro to import Communism into the land of the Blue Mountains, abundant streams, and Reggae music. Under normal circumstances, such rumors would be summarily dismissed. But since there were government ministers making frequent trips to Cuba and Mr. Manley himself was flying frequently to communist countries such as Vietnam, Mozambique, and Russia. The allegations were believed. Subsequently, many wealthy people who owned real estate in Jamaica sold such properties and left. Several sold their businesses at fire-sale prices and migrated to safer shores. Others withdrew all of their savings from the local banks and fled overseas.

As if all the above developments weren’t bad enough. Many professionals such as engineers, doctors, nurses, teachers, and ministers along with a host of other talented people. Took their skills and training with them, abroad to more inviting and safer political climes. Accompanying all of these epochal events was the ensuing political violence. Most of it was centered around certain sections of Western Kingston and this violence came to a head during the political campaign of 1980 when over 800 people were killed on the Island as a result of warring factions between the PNP and JLP. It was an economically challenging time for many families living in Jamaica. As the value of the Jamaican dollar plummeted and the cost of living rose.

The Jamaican political conflict is a long-standing feud between right-wing and left-wing elements in the country, often exploding into violence. The Jamaican Labour Party and the People’s National Party have fought for control of the island for years and the rivalry has encouraged urban warfare in Kingston. Each side believes the other to be controlled by foreign elements, the JLP is said to be backed by the American Central Intelligence Agency and the PNP is said to have been backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba. (WIKIPEDIA: Jamaican Political Conflict).

After the untimely and catastrophic death of Diana Princess of Wales. There were a plethora of conspiracy theories circulating regarding various people who were imagined to be responsible for her death. Her own brother directly accused the members of the Royal Family of killing her. Whether his allegation had any impact on his subsequent decision to migrate to Australia is unknown. The father of her companion, Dodi, Mr. Mohamed Al-Fayed also made similar charges. But none of those conspiracy theories was ever substantiated.

After 1998, it was theorized that there was an orchestrated criminal conspiracy surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Official investigations in both Britain and France found that Diana died in a manner consistent with media reports following the fatal car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997. In 1999, a French investigation concluded that Diana died as the result of a crash. The French investigator, Judge Hervé Stephan, concluded that the paparazzi were some distance from the Mercedes S280 when it crashed and were not responsible. After hearing evidence at the British inquest, a jury in 2008 returned a verdict of “unlawful killing” by driver Henri Paul and the paparazzi pursuing the car. The jury’s verdict also stated: “In addition, the death of the deceased was caused or contributed to by the fact that the deceased were not wearing seat belts and by the fact that the Mercedes struck the pillar in the Alma Tunnel rather than colliding with something else”. (WIKIPEDIA: Conspiracy Theories Surrounding The Death Of Diana Princess of Wales).

Following the 2020 presidential General Elections in the United States. Because the defeated leader of The Republican Party, Mr. Donald Trump, refused to concede defeat. Alleging, without one shred of evidence that he was the victim of fraud and that the election had been stolen from him. There were a multiplicity of conspiracy theories rapidly circulating throughout the United States of America.

Joe Uscinski, an author and associate professor of political science at the University of Miami who studies conspiracy theories and the people who believe them, said that these kinds of claims are nothing new to him. “Conspiracy theories and accusations about various kinds of election fraud circle around every election. What we find is that going into any presidential election, there’s a big chunk of both sides who think that they’re going to be cheated,” Uscinski said. The popularity of a given conspiracy theory is dependent on who wins and loses. “No matter who wins, the other side is going to think that they were cheated. And that is very much a regularity in our politics. As power shifts back and forth, so do the people who think that they’ve been cheated,” Uscinski said. (Election 2022: Why Conspiracy Theories Run Rampant Around American Elections, ABC News 5).

The conspiracy theories following the 2020 election were not only unprecedented. They were being circulated by legal professionals who fought battles in court to have the results of the 2020 general election overturned. Their efforts were futile. The ensuing insurrection of January 6, 2021. Which was incited by the defeated president. Is testimony to the frustration and disappointment experienced not only by Trump himself but also by a significant number of his supporters. That year will go down in history not only because of the number of people prosecuted and imprisoned for their criminal acts outside, and within the seat of government. But because of the crisis of confidence within the political system that this country experienced. Nevertheless, we can all take comfort from the fact that these conspiracy theories had no basis in fact or reality. They were all based upon lies. Many people embraced them because the plain truth, of which they were fully aware, was unpalatable.

(TO BE CONTINUED)