Conspiracy Theories Amid COVID Crisis: A Causal-Comparative Analysis of Global Power Policies Employing and Highlighting Cultural Diplomacy

COVID-19 pandemic outbreak carries many conspiracy theories along. Conspiracy theories like whether it is a lab-created virus; 5G network usage; or involvement of Bill Gates; a biological war tactic of the United States against China, or as a global hoax etc. Powerful states utilize the conspiracy theory as populist approach. They employ ‘group polarization’ and ‘vicious cycle of suspicion’ as two major tactics of populism in power politics. Its implications are observed on international politics by converging reliance of developing states on power elites. Developing cultural diplomacy progressively ensures collective interest and security through exchange of ideas. In larger context, its usage will transform cross-cultural ties in pandemic crisis, globally. Research employs qualitative-phenomenological method using causal-comparative analysis of cultural diplomacy factors, practiced through foreign policies of VETO powers. It finds how COVID crisis is responded by these countries and their impact on cross national ties by enhancing cultural diplomacy.