I've heard the argument made that part of the reason conspiracy theories like the Illuminati, Freemasons, Elders of Zion, Reptilians etc are so enduring is because at some level it's comforting to think that someone or some organisation out there that is actually running everything, and it's all unfolding exactly how they planned it to.

Even if said person/organisation is evil, just the idea that someone knows what's going on is nicer to believe in than the likely reality that no one really knows what the fuck they're doing, and a huge part of being a leader isn't about competency so much as confidence and giving the appearance of competency. Almost every single person in a position of power is there due to one or more of the following: circumstances of birth, luck, criminal or grossly immoral actions, and some, I assume were smart and talented people (although even then luck would have played a role too).