History Main / BenevolentConspiracy

* ''Film/TheMummyTrilogy'', a secretive organization actively works to prevent explorers from unearthing Imhotep's tomb, [[IDidWhatIHadToDo including outright killing innocents]] in order to keep the secret.

** Of course, Asimov was an outspoken authoritarian, and thus never answers the corollary: The government has controlled the time viewer for decades, and admits to using to spy on the protagonists. Personal privacy ended long before, it's just that no-one knew it save the government. Also, the government has similar laws against ''all'' [[EnforcedTechnologyLevels unregulated scientific research]] - presumably enforced via chronoscope.
* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'': The White Council of wizards attempts to be this for humanity, though opinions are strongly divided as to how well it succeeds. In fact, the official party line's ''denial'' of the existence of an evil conspiracy in their midst (despite strong evidence) prompts some characters to form a BenevolentConspiracy of their own, so they can act against the evil one without censure from their higher-ups.

** In the "Join Illuminati" ending, Morgan and JC are rebuild the world - however, Morgan reminds JC they have to do it through proxies.

** The series initially presents the titular Foundation as being one of these: a hidden organization that, through it's machinations, is attempting to steer human society through the dark ages into a new prosperous age. Later on, the [[spoiler:Second Foundation]] is somewhat presented like this.

* The title agency in ''TabletopGame/Bureau13StalkingTheNightFantastic''. It's a secret U.S. Government agency devoted to tracking down and dealing with evil supernatural forces.

* ''TabletopGame/DeltaGreen''. The title group is an illegal organization inside the U.S. government that investigates and deals with CthulhuMythos related threats.

* The {{NSA}} is portrayed as one in ''Literature/DigitalFortress''.

[[folder:Fan Fic]]

* The Star Cabal in ''VideoGame/TheOldRepublic'' style themselves in this way, seeking to curb the Jedi and Sith Orders in general and their tendency towards massive, mutually destructive wars in particular. However, over the centuries, it has grown less noble; not only has it JumpedOffTheSlipperySlope in a big way, its members have grown less concerned with keeping the peace and more concerned with how their access to massive resources and information on virtually everything in the galaxy can be used to improve their lives and/or bring down their enemies. [[spoiler: After bringing down the Star Cabal, the Imperial Agent has the opportunity to use their Black Codex and "disappear" -- erasing themselves from all records and becoming untraceable -- in order to become a Benevolent Conspiracy of their own within the Sith Empire.]]

* "Franchise/IndianaJones": The Order of the Cruciform Sword were/are a group sworn to keep the Holy Grail a secret and away from those who would misuse its gifts. They have little problem in trying to kill those who would seek the Grail as they are backed by divine will.

[[folder: Web Original]]
* The ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'' isolates and contains threats to human survival or "normalcy". They're definitely a darker interpretation of this trope: in this universe, sometimes one's choices boil down to committing atrocities, or seeing humanity go extinct, and the SCP Foundation [[NecessarilyEvil is ready and willing to commit those atrocities]].

* ''VideoGame/{{X-COM}}'' and ''VideoGame/XCOMEnemyUnknown'' have the player as the head of the military division of a secret global initiative to defend planet Earth from invading aliens. Complete with an OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness to report to.

TheConspiracy that secretly rules the world and manipulates the lives of the common {{muggles}} is, for a change, a force for actually good rather than evil, though perhaps not LawfulGood, depending on [[TheEmpire who runs]] [[PeoplesRepublicOfTyranny the Government]]. Indeed, a Benevolent Conspiracy might actually be ''run'' by the [[GovernmentConspiracy the Government]], in order to discreetly fight against evil, or at least to protect the interests of the people they lead. (Which is probably not to say "the current administration"; these kind of secret conspiracies are looking to a longer view). One such goal of this conspiracy might be to work against a more powerful enemy without provoking an all out fight against them, or to prevent the populace from breaking out in a counterproductive panic by [[TheMasquerade revealing things too them before they are ready.]]

* The ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'' isolates and contains threats to human survival or "normalcy". They're definitely a darker interpretation of this trope: in this universe, sometimes one's choices boil down to committing atrocities, or seeing humanity go extinct, and the SCP Foundation is ready and willing to commit those atrocities.

->''We are the Invisible Hand. We are [[spoiler:the Illuminati]].\\

* Morgan Everett tries to portray [[spoiler:the Illuminati]] as this in ''VideoGame/DeusEx''. To be fair, they really come across as one when compared to the more immediate and malevolent conspiracy at hand, set in motion by their spin-off organization [[spoiler:Majestic-12]]. ''VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution'', however, doesn't portray them quite as kindly.
-->'''Everett:''' You and me, JC. We'll rule the world in secret, with an invisible hand, the way [[spoiler:the Illuminati]] have always ruled.\\

->''"We are the Invisible Hand. We are the Illuminati.''\\
''"We come before and after. We are forever.''\\
''"And eventually... eventually, we will lead them into the day."''

* In BelisariusSeries the good guys who are movers and shakers of the ByzantineEmpire begin their plans for dealing with the evil Malwa without telling the Emperor or Empress. This is a downplayed version as Empress Theodora later joins them.
* Literature/{{Safehold}} has the Brethren of Saint Zhermeau, with the goal to [[spoiler: destroy the corrupt PathOfInspiration Church, and bring back the knowledge of humanity's true history.]] Also the Circle, which wants to reform the CorruptChurch from within.

Essentially, this is when TheConspiracy is good rather than evil, though perhaps not LawfulGood, depending on [[TheEmpire who runs]] [[PeoplesRepublicOfTyranny the Government]]. Indeed, a Benevolent Conspiracy might actually be ''run'' by the [[GovernmentConspiracy the Government]], in order to discreetly fight against evil, or at least to protect the interests of the people they lead. One such goal of this conspiracy might be to work against a more powerful enemy without provoking an all out fight against them, or to prevent the populace from breaking out in a counterproductive panic by [[TheMasquerade revealing things too them before they are ready.]]

* Literature/{{Safehold}} has the Brotherhood of Saint Zhermeau, with the goal to [[spoiler: destroy the corrupt PathOfInspiration Church, and bring back the knowledge of humanity's true history.]] Also the Circle, which wants to reform the CorruptChurch from within.

* The ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'' isolates and contains "memetic hazards".