The “Great Reset” conspiracy theory centers around the belief that global elites, particularly those associated with the World Economic Forum (WEF), plotted to use the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to restructure global society and economies to their benefit, potentially at the expense of individual freedoms and national sovereignties. This theory gained traction following the WEF’s announcement of the Great Reset initiative in June 2020, which aims to rebuild economies sustainably and equitably in the post-pandemic world.
Critics and proponents of the conspiracy theory argue that the initiative’s goals, such as creating a stakeholder economy, investing in green infrastructure, and harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution for the public good, are a cover for more sinister objectives. These alleged objectives include the abolition of private property, increased surveillance, and the establishment of a global government, among other things.
However, detailed examinations of the Great Reset initiative reveal that its core components focus on economic recovery strategies that emphasize sustainability, equity, and the public utilization of technological innovations. The initiative encourages shifting towards a stakeholder economy, enhancing environmental, social, and governance metrics in industry, and using pandemic recovery efforts to build a more resilient and sustainable world. Political leaders worldwide, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President Joe Biden, and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, have expressed support for the initiative’s goals, emphasizing the importance of sustainable and inclusive economic recovery plans.
The conspiracy theories surrounding the Great Reset have been fueled by misinformation, misunderstanding of the initiative’s goals, and broader distrust of global institutions and elites. Fact-checking organizations like PolitiFact have addressed and debunked various claims associated with the Great Reset conspiracy, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between the initiative’s actual objectives and the speculative narratives propagated online.
