Cults are often described as a religious sect considered to be extremist or false, typically under the thrall of a charismatic leader. However, even religious cults meet the general description“Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.” In a broad secular sense, it could be said that cultists are devotees of false, reality-challenged, principles.
Is it possible that “conventional society” itself could become a cult? At first glance that would seem impossible because not everyone believes the same things. The point is, in a democracy, you don’t need everyone to believe the same thing, you just need enough believing voters to gain political power. Boom, the cult rules over everyone.