A significant trend of research construes conspiracy theories as a power challenging phenomenon. Yet, there is evidence that conspiracy theories are sometimes promoted by members of relatively powerful groups (e.g., a national majority) in order to target relatively powerless groups (e.g., immigrants). Thus, conspiracy theories are not necessarily beliefs held by the relatively powerless. However, they always attribute power to the allegedly conspiring parties. As a matter of fact, without such power, the groups accused of conspiring would be unable to carry out their plans. In contrast to assuming conspiracy theories reflect objective power imbalances, we propose that they may be construed as opportunistic attributions of power that allow individuals to advance their interests (e.g., validate their worldview, strengthen or challenge social hierarchies).

一个重要的研究趋势将阴谋论解释为一种权力挑战现象。然而，有证据表明，阴谋论有时是由相对强大的群体（例如，全国多数人）的成员推动的，目的是针对相对无权的群体（例如，移民）。因此，阴谋论不一定是相对无能为力的人所持有的信念。然而，他们总是将权力归于所谓的共谋方。事实上，如果没有这样的权力，被指控阴谋的团体将无法执行他们的计划。与假设阴谋论反映客观的权力不平衡相反，我们认为它们可能被解释为机会主义的权力归因，允许个人推进他们的利益（例如，验证他们的世界观，