This is incredibly important. It means that there is hope, that the government is not some evil conspiracy, that there are people in power, people like ourselve

This is incredibly important. It means that there is hope, that the government is not some evil conspiracy, that there are people in power, people like ourselves. The film Enemy of the State, and conspiracy theories mean that normal people think it is the status quo that our lives are under 100% surveillance and that they are powerless. In a way its been argued that this is quite comforting. Imagine a world where no-one knows what they are doing versus imagining a world where there is a conspiracy, an evil plan. What this type of public culture makes and what the worst conspiracy theories do is make politics seem hopeless, encourages apathy and reduces trust in politicians. At the same time it makes it easier for the real abusers of power to get away with it. The recent phone tapping cases in the US being a point in case. Everyone thought it was going on all the time anyhow, so when it was revealed no one was suprised, and so the consequences were slight. To know that those in power do actually think, and do listen, and do believe in the political process is very very vital.