QAnon International: The Insecurity Culture of Online Conspiracy Communities

Abstract

This paper explores QAnon and the spread of its subject far-right conspiracy theories on online message boards through the concept of an Insecurity Culture, as a case study for the recent rise in internet-borne violent extremism. Both political extremes on the left and the right host sub-cultures of extremists who’s ideologies target liberal democratic governments and institutions, threatening the very systems that allow for their existence. The study of online violent extremists is a topic currently under-represented in academia, notably in the field of International Relations, which has historically been slow to adapt its concepts to emerging non-state actors. While a security culture describes a set of behavioral patterns that follow particular interpretations of security, being composed of groups that seek to achieve security by counteracting perceived threats, an Insecurity Culture is one constantly aware or convinced of threats while being unable or unwilling to field a solution. The field of Security Studies provides the best inroad for an IR-based study of how these internet-based far-right conspiracy communities function. These serve to demonstrate examples of radicalization, the ‘bubble’ effects of closed-off chat rooms, and the ideological convergences between different conspiracies under the QAnon umbrella.