Elements of conspiracy theory in the historical narratives of Russian political parties

mass political movements' own assessments of past events have become an integral part of party identity in modern society. An active historical policy can lead to changes in collective memory, the evolution of society's perception of both individual events of the past and entire historical epochs. One of the tools of the political transformation of the past is the use of conspiracy theories, which make it possible to significantly simplify complex historical processes and explain them to ordinary voters through the malice of a group of individuals. The author of the article analyzes the use of elements of conspiracy theories in developing their own historical policy, identifying the features of such use, and systematizing the theories used. The main sources were official documents of the most popular Russian parties, articles, speeches and publications of their leaders, materials from party websites. The research results are based on the use of general scientific methods and principles of scientific knowledge, comparative analysis, and a systematic approach. According to the study, parties from the extreme parts of the political spectrum are more inclined to resort to the use of elements of conspiracy theory. Basically, conspiracy theory, depending on political beliefs, is used to explain the end of the idealized "golden age", for which various periods of Russian history are mistaken by parties. According to modern politicians, the results of the conspiracy were the revolutionary events of 1917 and the collapse of the USSR in 1991. According to the typology, the prevailing geopolitical explanation of conspiracies, i.e. They were inspired by foreign powers with the support of traitors among the ruling elite or social outsiders. This approach allows the parties to draw parallels with modern "color" revolutions and warn against the danger of repeating the conspiracies of the past in the present.

LDPR, KPRF, Historical politics, Collective memory, Conspiracy theory, Geopolitical conspiracy, October Revolution, Dissolution of the Soviet Union, Yabloko