Lies, Conspiracy and Propaganda

Venue

Humanities Research Centre, The Australian National University

Dates

26–27 September 2004

The histories of Europe and Asia are studded with conspiracies and rumours of conspiracy. The idea that powerful forces work behind the scenes to shape events and to conceal their power from the public has deep roots both in historical evidence and in popular imagination. From the Protocols of the Elders of Zion in Europe to the death of Lin Biao in China and the Gestapu coup in Indonesia, the combination of fragmentary information, political interest and fertile imagination have given rise to a vast range of conspiracy theories.

This conference will examine conspiracies, real and imagined, along with the lies and propaganda which are used on the one hand to conceal reality and on the other to create suspicion and mistrust. Prospective contributions are invited on relevant topics including:

specific and/or comparative studies of the conduct and effects of conspiracies in Europe and/or Asia (including Australia)
efforts to create the suspicion of conspiracies where none existed
the public and media appetite for conspiracy theories
the historiographical treatment of conspiracies

Convener:

Dr Robert Cribb,
Pacific and Asian History, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies,
Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200
tel ++61 2 6125 4247
fax ++ 61 2 6125 5525
Email: robert.cribb@anu.edu.au

Enquiries:

Leena Messina
Programs Manager, Humanities Research Centre, ANU
Leena.Messina@anu.edu.au