Definitions for common conspiracy research terminology
Annual invitation-only conference of approximately 150 political leaders, experts from industry, finance, media, and academia. Founded in 1954, meetings are closed to the public and press. Attendees include future heads of state and influential policymakers.
Government funding for classified programs that is hidden from public oversight. The US black budget is estimated at $50+ billion annually, funding intelligence operations, secret military projects, and programs that officially "don't exist."
Digital currency issued directly by a central bank. Unlike cryptocurrency, CBDCs are centrally controlled and can be programmed - meaning authorities can track all transactions, set expiration dates, restrict purchases, or freeze accounts at will.
American think tank specializing in foreign policy. Founded 1921, membership includes influential figures from government, media, finance, and academia. CFR members have occupied key positions in every administration regardless of party.
FBI counterintelligence program (1956-1971) designed to surveil, infiltrate, discredit, and disrupt domestic political organizations. Declassified documents reveal tactics including psychological warfare, assassinations, and planting false media stories.
The practice of leading an opposition movement or voice to control and neutralize it. By leading dissent, the controllers can steer it away from truly threatening topics, discredit it through association, or identify genuine dissidents.
The permanent, unelected power structure within government that operates regardless of which party holds office. Includes intelligence agencies, military leadership, career bureaucrats, and their connections to private sector power centers.
A covert operation designed to appear as if carried out by another entity. Historically documented examples include Operation Northwoods (proposed), Gulf of Tonkin incident (admitted fabrication), and Operation Gladio (NATO terrorism in Europe).
The central banking system of the United States, established 1913. Despite its name, it is not federal (owned by member banks) and has no reserves (creates money from debt). Controls monetary policy and has never been fully audited.
Money that has no intrinsic value and is not backed by a physical commodity like gold. Its value derives entirely from government decree and public faith. All major currencies are fiat since Nixon ended gold convertibility in 1971.
Intelligence alliance comprising US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. These countries share signals intelligence and agree not to spy on each other's citizens - but they spy on each other's citizens and share the data, circumventing domestic restrictions.
Banking system where banks only keep a fraction of deposits and loan out the rest. This allows banks to create money from nothing through loans. The money supply expands through debt, requiring perpetual growth to avoid collapse.
A person or organization that controls access to information, limiting what reaches the public. In conspiracy contexts, refers to media figures or "alternative" voices who mix truth with misdirection to keep people from core issues.
Initiative launched by World Economic Forum proposing restructuring of the global economy after COVID-19. Critics note it promotes stakeholder capitalism, digital IDs, reduced private ownership, and increased global governance - "You'll own nothing and be happy."
Originally the Bavarian Illuminati (1776-1785), a secret society founded by Adam Weishaupt. Today the term broadly refers to alleged secret groups manipulating world events. Whether a single organization exists or just overlapping elite networks is debated.
CIA mind control program (1953-1973) using drugs, hypnosis, sensory deprivation, and torture. Declassified documents reveal experiments on unwitting American and Canadian citizens. Program director Richard Helms ordered files destroyed in 1973.
CIA program begun in the late 1940s to influence domestic and foreign media. Declassified documents show over 400 American journalists worked for CIA, major outlets were infiltrated, and foreign media was systematically manipulated.
Term for a theorized secretive elite power structure controlling world governments, working toward authoritarian world government. The phrase has been used by many world leaders including George H.W. Bush, raising questions about the agenda it references.
An artifact found in an archaeological context that challenges conventional historical timelines. Examples include ancient objects showing advanced machining, artifacts in wrong geological strata, or evidence of technology that "shouldn't" exist at that time.
NSA surveillance program exposed by Edward Snowden in 2013. Provides direct access to servers of Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, and other tech companies, allowing collection of emails, chats, photos, and stored data of targets.
Strategy where authorities create or exploit a problem, wait for public demand for action (reaction), then implement a pre-planned solution that advances their agenda. Also called the Hegelian Dialectic in conspiracy contexts.
When a regulatory agency, created to act in the public interest, instead advances the commercial interests of the industry it's supposed to regulate. Common in FDA (pharma), FCC (telecom), SEC (finance), and other agencies.
Blocking or partially blocking a user's content without notifying them. The user can still post but their content doesn't appear in feeds, searches, or reaches fewer people. A form of invisible censorship used by social media platforms.
Government system rating citizens based on behavior, implemented in China. Activities affect score: right opinions, purchases, and associations raise it; wrong ones lower it. Low scores restrict travel, employment, and services.
Theory that birth certificates create a corporate legal fiction (in ALL CAPS) separate from the living person. The government and legal system interact with this fiction, not the actual human. Understanding this distinction is part of sovereignty movements.
Private organization founded 1973 by David Rockefeller and Zbigniew Brzezinski. Members include leaders from North America, Europe, and Asia. Promotes international cooperation - critics say global governance and erosion of national sovereignty.
Term for a person who unknowingly supports a cause or agenda that works against their own interests. Often applied to those who promote elite narratives thinking they're being progressive or helpful, unaware they're serving power structures.
International organization founded by Klaus Schwab hosting annual meetings in Davos. Known for "The Great Reset" initiative, "Young Global Leaders" program placing graduates in power positions, and statements like "you'll own nothing and be happy."
Person who exposes information about wrongdoing within an organization. Notable whistleblowers include Edward Snowden (NSA surveillance), Julian Assange (WikiLeaks), and many others who revealed classified government programs at great personal cost.