Conspiracy theories, and particularly the belief that elements of the world are secretly controlled by individuals or groups, have been around for as long as people have lived in groups. Perhaps that’s inevitable - after all, those who are excluded from power are very likely to be inclined to see their position not as an outcome of their own choices or situation but because of the secret machinations of shadowy groups. One of the most widely discussed conspiracy theories concerns what has become known as the New World Order, a secret cabal that is said to have ambitions to become a form of World Government.

Part of the problem with trying to look objectively at any conspiracy theory and at the notion of the New World Order in particular is that some secret conspiracies do exist, and history tells us that these are often specifically intended to acquire power and wealth. But some conspiracy theories embrace extreme ideas such as the notion that the world is secretly ruled by reptilian creatures from another dimension, that certain minority groups have outsized power, and other farfetched concepts that have no basis in reality. Naturally, conspiracy theories work in part because it is now quite difficult to distinguish between what may be real conspiracies and downright bizarre notions.

Virtually universal access to the Internet in the 21st century has led to the widespread dissemination of strange theories that would previously have been known by only a handful of people. Some of the most widely discussed of these understandably seem crazy to many people. What does this say about the world in which we live? And where exactly did people get the idea that the planet is actually ruled by a secret cabal? In reality, the New World Order conspiracy has its roots in a much longer and more complex history than many people might immediately expect.