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An overview of extremist narratives, movements & actors, produced with support from Microsoft.

The ‘New World Order’ - ISD .woocommerce-product-gallery{ opacity: 1 !important; } Manage Cookie Consent By clicking “Accept All Cookies” you consent to store on your device all the technologies described in our Privacy Policy. You can change your cookie settings at any time by accessing your browser settings. Functional Functional Always active The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Preferences Preferences The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Statistics Statistics The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. 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The ‘New World Order’ A downloadable version of this page can be accessed here. The ‘New World Order’ conspiracy theory argues that a shadowy elite force is trying to implement a totalitarian world government. Proponents of the ‘New World Order’ conspiracy believe a cabal of powerful elite figures wielding great political and economic power is conspiring to implement a totalitarian one-world government. It is believed that this is taking place through a grand ongoing conspiracy to influence the media, press, civil society and democracy from the shadows. Many major world events and crises are attributed to the ‘New World Order’. Related Narratives and Terminology Background The “New World Order” conspiracy posits that a global elite is trying to implement a single world government. Conspiracy theorists claim this is being achieved through manufactured crises, with the COVID-19 pandemic seen as one such man-made attempt to exert undue control over civilians. The conspiracy theory existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic, however. Anti-Masonic, anti-Illuminati and other theories that similarly posited the existence of anelite, “shadow” establishment date back to the 1800s. The foundations of the “New World Order” conspiracy as it is known today date to the mid-1900s, amid a rise in anti-globalist sentiment across the US. For a timeline of the phrase in recent American history, see here. How does it differ from the Illuminati? While not synonymous, conspiracies about the ‘New World Order’ overlap with conspiracies about the Illuminati, the group of elites who are deemed to be behind the implementation of the ‘New World Order’. Conspiracies about the Illuminati date back to the 18th century – when an organization of that name existed. The Illuminate, or “Order of Illuminists” were a secular organization from Bavaria whose aim was to free the world from religious and political authority. The conspiracy theory has, however, exaggerated the group’s power. The group itself was dissolved in 1787 – its legacy and prominence in contemporary conspiratorial circles and in pop culture is largely due to conspiracy theorists who refuse to believe the group no longer exists. The ‘New World Order’, on the other hand refers to the end goal of various shadowy elites. Tie-in with extremism The theory has gained notable traction amongst right-wing extremist and militia movements. Most notably, it is often integrated with antisemitic tropes that claim Jewish elite, particularly banking families like the Rothschilds, are behind global crises and conflicts. In fact, some groups and movements conflate these narratives entirely by referring to the ‘New World Order’ as the ‘Jew World Order’, or ‘JWO’ for short. Militia movements Militias refer to the ‘New World Order’ particularly in the context of their anti-state narratives. They claim, for example, that increased restrictions around gun ownership is proof that the US federal government is collaborating with this shadowy elite in order to slowly restrict the rights and individual freedoms of American citizens, particularly as this pertains to the second amendment. Overlap with antisemitism Conspiracies about the ‘New World Order’ often incorporate antisemitic narratives, drawing on long- established tropes and claims that Jewish people control major financial and media institutions around the world. Hateful sites like the Jew World Order and Real Jew News are dedicated specifically to distributing antisemitic narratives that claim Jewish people control America and that they have infiltrated everyr domain of life, ranging from churches and mosques to banking institutions and governments. Broader right-wing extremist sites like Renegade Tribune are also riddled with such claims, speaking to the wide application of ‘New World Order’ conspiracy theories to further antisemitism and vice versa. Holocaust denial is also prevalent on many outlets promoting ‘New World Order’ conspiracies, with claims that the Holocaust is one of many crises that Jewish people manufactured. Other major events that are claimed to be manufactured by Jewish people include: Medical crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic Acts of terror, like the Christchurch attack The drug trade and “war on drugs”, explained as Jewish efforts to control supply and demand of drugs Global phenomena, like climate change Multiculturalism, where immigration is explained as a Jewish-made mechanism to “invade” Christian nations. Some sites claim mass immigration is caused by Jewish people to commit “white genocide” Antisemitic ‘New World Order’ conspiracy theories often use language around “elites” (e.g. “Jewish elite”or “elite Jews”) to reinforce this narrative of Jewish people controlling global agendas, with such theories overwhelmingly targeting high-profile Jewish people, such as George Soros and the Rothschild family. Conspiracists may also refer to “the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion”, a text claiming to contain the minutes of meetings between Jewish leaders in the late 19th century, in which these leaders allegedly set out their plans for Jewish world domination. The text has been thoroughly and repeatedly discredited as a fabrication and a forgery, but is still referred to amongst antisemitic ‘New World Order’ conspiracye theorists as “proof” of Jewish plans for taking over the world. Implementation of the New World Order So how do conspiracists believe this shadowy cabal is implementing the ‘New World Order’? While there is no definitive set of claims, believers of the conspiracy generally point to a mix of the following: The United Nations (UN) – the UN is seen as a vehicle through which this shadowy cabal operates. Mind Control – some proponents of the theory claim the cabal plans to or is already implanting microchips and other surveillance technology to enslave citizens. Antisemitic ‘New World Order’ narratives may also refer to mainstream media outlets as part of the “Jewish propaganda arm” used to brainwash society. Other Infringements on Individual Freedoms – ‘New World Order’ conspiracists claim increased legislation around gun ownership and the potential confiscation of privately- owned guns are all part of the wider agenda to subdue citizen populations. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social restriction measures, as well as other public crises are similarly seen as proof of this agenda and are therefore claimed to be manufactured by this mysterious elite. The Rothschilds – the Rothschild family, a wealthy banking family of Jewish background, is particularly targeted by conspiracists. They claim, among others, that the Rothschilds control the City of London, the US Federal Reserve, and much of traditional media. Bill Gates and George Soros have similarly been accused of forming part of this shadow establishment. “Secret Societies” – the Bilderberg Group, a selection of North American and European politicians that come together once a year, are also fodder for conspiracy. The secretive nature of their meetings, of which no minutes or other follow-ups are ever publicized, has spurred claims that the group is part of this global elite attempting to implement a one-world government. The Council of Foreign Relations and Trilateral Commission are also perceived similarly by conspiracists, in that they are accused of being vehicles for implementing the ‘New World Order’. Further Reading   A Culture of Conspiracy – by Michael BarkunExplores the history and trajectory of prominent conspiracy theories in the US A dialogue-driven approach to address the partisan dynamics of online misinformation – by Emilie de Keulenaar at the Security and Human Rights MonitorMakes a data-based digital analysis of the ‘New World Order’ conspiracy A Global Government is Waiting in the Wings – by Hua HsuPresents a timeline of the ‘New World Order’ conspiracy Anti-Soros Conspiracies – by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD)Alludes to the interplay between hateful narratives targeting philanthropist George Soros and the ‘New World Order’ conspiracy The Christian Identity Movement – by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)A resource that summarizes the history and ideology of the Christian Identity Movement, which has been known to promote the ‘New World Order’ theory History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories – by the TelegraphSummarizes historical and existing conspiracy theories, including the ‘New World Order’   _________________________________________________________________________________ Produced with support from   Related Die Reichsbürger Bewegung Die Reichsbürger sind eine extremistische deutsche Bewegung, deren Ideologiedurch die gemeinsame Überzeugung geeint ist, dass die Bundesrepublik Deutschland kein legitimer, souveräner Staat ist und die vom deutschen Staat verabschiedeten Gesetze und Regeln daher nicht verbindlich sind. The Reichsbürger Movement The Reichsbürger movement is a German conspiracy movement similar to Sovereign Citizens, claiming that the German state is illegitimate and must be resisted. Boogaloo Movement The Boogaloo movement is an anti-government, anti-law enforcement extremist militia movement that believes the state places too many limitations on individual liberty, and that a second civil war is necessary to push back against these intrusions. About Independence & Ethics Partnerships & Funders Privacy Policy Complaints Policy Contact Follow us on Social Media:ISDAmman | Berlin | London | Paris | Washington DCCopyright © Institute for Strategic Dialogue (2022). Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) is a company limited by guarantee, registered office address PO Box 75769, London, SW1P 9ER. ISD is registered in England with company registration number 06581421 and registered charity number 1141069. All Rights Reserved. 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