Constance E Cumbey

Constance Cumbey is known for her writings concerning the "New World Order" (NWO) concept, a term frequently appearing in conspiracy theories. These theories posit that a hidden elite is working toward a totalitarian global government that would supersede sovereign nations. The NWO conspiracism, which gained traction before the early 1990s, was notably present in American countercultures, particularly among the anti-government right and certain fundamentalist Christian circles focused on eschatological themes.

Academics have observed that these theories, often linking figures and events to a clandestine plot for world domination, have permeated popular culture. This has fueled interest in survivalism and paramilitary preparedness for apocalyptic scenarios. While the term "new world order" was historically used by political figures like Woodrow Wilson and Winston Churchill to describe post-war periods of global change and cooperation, its meaning shifted significantly in conspiracy circles. The focus moved from perceived communist threats to anxieties about globalism and a unified world government orchestrated by international bankers and corporatists, especially after the fall of communism.

The "New World Order" (NWO) is a concept central to various conspiracy theories that suggest a secret cabal, comprised of a global elite, aims to establish an authoritarian world government. This agenda purportedly involves dismantling nation-states and implementing pervasive propaganda to legitimize their rule as the ultimate stage of historical progress. Proponents of these theories often allege that influential figures and organizations are part of this plot, orchestrating major political, social, and economic events, sometimes by creating or exploiting crises, to advance their goal of global domination. Before the 1990s, NWO conspiracism was largely confined to the American far-right and fundamentalist Christian communities concerned with end-time prophecies.

Historically, "new world order" was used by political leaders like Woodrow Wilson and Winston Churchill in the 20th century to signify periods of significant global political change following major wars. These instances often involved aspirations for international cooperation and governance through organizations like the League of Nations and the United Nations, aiming to prevent conflict and address global issues. However, during the Cold War, the term became associated with conspiracy theories, particularly within American right-wing circles. Influenced by fears of communism and figures like William Guy Carr, these theories identified Freemasons, Illuminati, and Jews as orchestrating an "international communist conspiracy" or, later, a collectivist world government aimed at eroding national sovereignty.

Following the collapse of communism in the early 1990s, the focus of NWO conspiracy theories shifted from crypto-communists to "globalists" perceived as plotting a unified world government controlled by an oligarchy of international bankers and corporatists. President George H. W. Bush's 1990 speech referencing a "new world order" for the post-Cold War era further fueled these anxieties, being interpreted by some as a sign of the End Times. Constance Cumbey's work, particularly her book "The New World Order" (1991), became a significant voice in this discourse, specifically from the perspective of the American Christian right. She articulated fears that globalist agendas, utilizing concepts like environmentalism and socialism, were being employed by entities such as the UN to undermine Christianity.

“We shall have world government, whether or not we like it. The question is only whether world government will be achieved by consent or by conquest.”

“Until now, the world we've known has been a world divided—a world of barbed wire and concrete block, conflict, and the cold war. Now, we can see a new world coming into view. A world in which there is the genuine prospect of new world order. In the words of Winston Churchill, a "world order" in which "the principles of justice and fair play ... protect the weak against the strong ..." A world where the United Nations, freed from cold war stalemate, is poised to fulfill the historic vision of its founders. A world in which freedom and respect for human rights find a home among all nations.”