Overview

The "Great Reset" conspiracy theory posits that a global elite is exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to dismantle capitalism, establish authoritarian control, and create a dystopian society where individuals will "own nothing and be happy". This theory misinterprets a legitimate World Economic Forum (WEF) initiative of the same name, which was launched in June 2020 in response to the economic and social conditions stemming from the pandemic. While the WEF's initiative aims for a more sustainable and inclusive global economy through fairer outcomes, environmental sustainability, and leveraging technology for societal good, the conspiracy theory portrays it as a sinister plot to achieve a "new world order".

Core Claims

• A secret global elite, led by figures associated with the World Economic Forum, orchestrated the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns to collapse economies and seize control.
• The ultimate goal is to abolish private property, implement forced vaccinations, introduce digital ID cards, and establish a one-world government or a corporate capitalist surveillance dystopia.
• The phrase "You'll own nothing. And you'll be happy." is often cited as proof of the WEF's intention to strip people of their liberties and private property, originating from a misinterpreted 2016 WEF video and articles making predictions about the world in 2030.
• Events like the 2019 "Event 201" pandemic simulation, co-hosted by Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, the WEF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, are presented as evidence that the pandemic was pre-planned.

Real-World Impact

The "Great Reset" conspiracy theory has gained significant traction online, especially among right-wing and far-right communities, and has been amplified by various media figures and politicians. It has contributed to public distrust in institutions, fueled anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination movements, and been used to promote antisemitic narratives, sometimes using coded language online. The theory has also been linked to other extremist narratives, such as climate change denial, and has been disseminated by Russian propaganda outlets. In some instances, public figures promoting the conspiracy have significantly expanded its reach and engagement within specific countries.

Prominent Figures

• Klaus Schwab: Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, and co-author of the book "COVID-19: The Great Reset," he is frequently cited as the mastermind behind the alleged plot.
• World Economic Forum (WEF): The organization itself is central to the conspiracy theory, portrayed as the primary vehicle for the global elite's agenda.
• Political leaders: Figures like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President Joe Biden, and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have been invoked due to their use of "reset" or "build back better" rhetoric in post-pandemic recovery discussions.
• Right-wing media figures: Individuals such as Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham, Ben Shapiro, Glenn Beck, and outlets like Breitbart News have amplified the conspiracy theory.
• Other influencers: Comedian-turned-YouTuber Russell Brand and various international political figures and local influencers have also promoted the narrative.

Origins & Evolution

The "Great Reset" conspiracy theory emerged in June 2020, taking its name from the World Economic Forum's initiative launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The WEF's actual initiative called for governments to steer markets towards fairer outcomes, rethink capital investment for sustainability, and use technology for societal benefit. However, the broad and vague nature of the WEF's proposals, combined with its association with global elites, made it "prime fodder for conspiracy theorists". The theory rapidly evolved into a "conspiracy smoothie," blending the original WEF plan with existing narratives like the New World Order, Agenda 2030, and climate change denial. Its spread was significantly amplified online by right-wing media and political figures, particularly after November 2020, and it quickly incorporated other conspiratorial elements such as claims about engineered pandemics, surveillance states, and global dictatorships.

Mainstream Perspective

Experts, fact-checkers, and official institutions generally regard the "Great Reset" as a baseless conspiracy theory. They distinguish it from the actual World Economic Forum initiative, which is a legitimate, albeit sometimes criticized, proposal for a more sustainable and inclusive global economy in the wake of the pandemic. While the WEF has faced criticism for encouraging economic deregulation or overemphasizing the ability of a small group to reshape the global economy, these criticisms are distinct from the conspiratorial claims. Mainstream analysis views the conspiracy theory as a reflection of social anxieties about the pandemic and a manifestation of anti-institutional discourse, often relying on traditional conspiracy tropes. The theory is seen as "easily debunked" and a misinterpretation of the WEF's stated goals, turning a call for reform into a fabricated plot for world control.