> beliefs that a group of actors are colluding in secret to reach a malevolent goal
Given the subjectivity of malevolence, which I would scrap, that would fit cartels, think tanks, corporations, book clubs, political parties, pack of wolves, prison gangs and whatnot. Malevolence for some can be self-interest for others.
Of course it gets more arcane with some people and the study describes what many would expect. My former math teacher would eviscerate me for the diagrams and lacking legend though. That is no conspiracy. Well, at least you need to read the understand the diagram (negative values means more left leaning).
