Demagogue:a person, especially an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people.
While it’s a contentious word, one person’s demagogue can be someone else’s passionate leader. The word comes from the Greek word dema, meaning “people,” and gogue, meaning “leader.” Demagogue refers to a person who appeals to the emotions and prejudices of others in order to further their own political goals.
The troubling concern about demagogues is that in addition to distorting logic and truth, they stir up the multitudes and create deep divisions in society. They encourage vicious rhetoric towards those looked upon as the “other” in addition to encouraging thinking in “black and white” only, all of which is damaging to the fabric of society and critical thought.
Actions we, as a country, have been witnessing for years.
And then there’s “fascism.” The definition of fascism begins with the demagogue. He alone knows what’s right for the country, he alone is qualified to lead the country to its rightful, historic destiny, and he alone can fix it! (Remember that one?)
A demagogue is never just a single person. An accomplished demagogue always depends on the support of and connection to the people.
A few examples of known demagogues (although there were many more throughout history):
- Adolf Hitler (Germany)
- Benito Mussolini (Italy)
- Huey Long
- Joseph McCarthy
- George Wallace
The last three were American citizens.
They all caused some manner of disruption and divisiveness, chaos and confusion, what we have been experiencing ourselves for nearly a decade now. Americans overcame it then, we can overcome it now.
We need to be consistent in educating others as to what is taking place in our country and our state. Be aware of how your representatives vote on proposed legislation, statewide and federal. Does that vote hurt or help our country, our state?
We’re all in this together, so we all need to work together to achieve the positive change we want. Democracy is worth the effort.