Conspiracy: In Theory and Practice
&quot;I&#x27;ll begin by offering a fundamental proposition: namely, that to believe in any conspiracy, whether true or false, is to believe in a system or sector run not by popular consent but by an elite, acting in its own self-interest.&quot;<p>This definition of &quot;conspiracy&quot; does not match the dictionary definition of the word &quot;conspiracy&quot;.  There is nothing about &quot;system[s], sector[s], popular consent, elite or self-interest.&quot;<p>The following definition is provided by the authors of The Collaborative International Dictionary of English.<p>220 dict.dict.org dictd 1.12.1&#x2F;rf on Linux 4.19.0-10-amd64 &lt;auth.mime&gt; &lt;46338037.19753.1625025739@dict.dict.org&gt;
150 27 definitions retrieved
151 &quot;Conspiracy&quot; gcide &quot;The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48&quot;
Conspiracy \Con<i>spir&quot;a</i>cy\, n.; pl. {Conspiracies}. [See
   {Conspiration}.]<p><pre><code>   1. A combination of people for an evil purpose; an agreement,
      between two or more persons, to commit a crime in concert,
      as treason; a plot.

   2. A concurence or general tendency, as of circumstances, to
      one event, as if by agreement.

   3. (Law) An agreement, manifesting itself in words or deeds,
      by which two or more persons confederate to do an unlawful
      act, or to use unlawful to do an act which is lawful;
      confederacy.</code></pre>