American Conspiracy Theories

What is it in American culture that makes conspiracy theories proliferate? Who is targeted, and why? Joseph E. Uscinski and Joseph M. Parent argue that power asymmetries, both foreign and domestic, are the main drivers behind conspiracy theories, and that those at the bottom of power hierarchies have a strategic interest in blaming those at the top-in other words, "conspiracy theories are for losers." But these "losers" can end up having tremendous influence on the course of history.