Is “the flesh of populism” truly collective? Embodiment and personalization as the (neoliberal) nexus between populism and conspiracy theory

Key Points

• Populism intertwines with conspiracy theory through embodiment, shaping collective identity—this relationship deepens the understanding of societal dynamics.
• The connection between populism and conspiracy theory is highlighted by personalization, which modifies how people engage with political ideas instead of them being abstract.
• Observational analysis of cultural narratives illustrates how neoliberal practices influence the rise of both populism and conspiracy thinking.
• Understanding these links may provide insights into political behavior, underscoring the need for deeper investigation into cultural phenomena.