Nancy L. Rosenblum Knihy

How the new conspiracists are undermining democracy—and what can be done about it Conspiracy theories are as old as politics. But conspiracists today have introduced something new—conspiracy without theory. And the new conspiracism has moved from the fringes to the heart of government with the election of Donald Trump. In A Lot of People Are Saying, Russell Muirhead and Nancy Rosenblum show how the new conspiracism differs from classic conspiracy theory, how it undermines democracy, and what needs to be done to resist it.

The book explores Jeremy Bentham's contributions to political theory, particularly his ideas on governance and the role of the state in modern society. It examines his utilitarian philosophy and its implications for law, ethics, and public policy, highlighting how his thoughts shaped contemporary views on state functions and individual rights. Through critical analysis, the work aims to connect Bentham's theories to current political debates and challenges, offering insights into the evolution of state theory.

The moral principles prescribed for friendship, civil society, and democratic public life apply imperfectly to life around home, where we interact day to day without the formal institutions, rules of conduct, and means of enforcement that guide us in other settings. This work explores how encounters among neighbours create a democracy of everyday life, which has been with us since the beginning of American history and is expressed in settler, immigrant, and suburban narratives and in novels, poetry, and popular culture.