Nationalism in popular culture: Books of conspiracy

Nationalism in Popular Culture: Books of ConspiracyIn this study, considering the definition of popular culture field as a hegemonic arena by Gramscian theory, Turkish nationalist discourse in popular culture books is analyzed. In this sense, by pointing out the popularization of the conspiracy theories, the relation between conspiracy mindset and nationalism that is becoming normal in daily life is trying to reveal.In the first part of the study, the linkage between popular culture and nationalism is referred by giving the definition of popular culture. Popular culture is seen as a field in which nationalism is regenerated in daily life and discursive struggle is carried on, and examples are mentioned on how this regeneration is done.In the second part of the study, conspiracy theories are identified, and the factors which lead up the popularization of these theories, in other words the generality of conspiracy theories have been studied. The linkage between these aforesaid factors and nationalism is underlined and how conspiracy theories have been instrumentalizing by nationalist discourses is mentioned.In the third part of the study, the structural characteristics of Turkish nationalism and how it has affected by word conjuncture, especially after September 11, 2001 and how it has reflected to conspiracy theories is mentioned. In this sense, the nationalist discourse in the books chosen is analyzed with discourse analysis. With the analysis that is being held by the help of featured discursive themes in the books, the nationalist discourses? emphasis, the definition of the others-and-us, concerns, future perspective and hopes are trying to reveal.In the conclusion part of the study, the books on conspiracy that are the factors of hegemonic struggle in popular culture field, and the conspiracy theories in these books are the instruments that regenerates, legalizes and normalizes the nationalist discourses, and their negative effects on social peace and on the development of democracy is underlined.Key Words: Popular culture, discourse, hegemony, nationalism, conspiracy mindset