Numerous studies have found that when people feel a lack of control, they have an increased propensity to form conspiracy theories as a way to explain their helplessness.
Think about it: When you are doing everything you can to fulfill an unmet need, and you are not having success or feeling any traction, you look for reasons. Something must be blocking you. What could it be?
The conspiracy theory arises to fill that gap. It explains why you are not getting what you want. Conspiracy theories thrive within groups who feel that they don’t have control over their lives.
– Dave Gray, Liminal Thinking
The reverse is also true. When you have a vested interest in the status quo, because you’re doing well and you feel that at least in part it is because of “the system” working well, you can easily rationalize bad things / turn a blind eye.