We explain what demagogy is, the origin of the term, its history and negative features. Also, examples of demagoguery in politics.
What is demagoguery?
In politics, demagogy is understood as the practice of gain the favor of the masses through flattery, concessions, manipulations and emotional stratagems in order to perpetuate themselves in political power or have access to it.
In other words, demagogues are those who seek political favoritism through speeches and promises that have nothing to do with politics, but rather with people's most basic emotions.
Demagoguery, thus, can translate into inciting fear and hatred towards a supposed common enemy, or flattering and sweetening people, telling them what they want to hear, instead of inviting them to think for themselves and make decisions. This is a common practice in democracies and that since ancient times has been classified as a degeneration of the democratic spirit.
The origin of this word, in fact, dates back to Ancient Greece and the voices let's give (“people”) and aug (“herding” or “driving”), the latter in a pastoral sense of the term. Thus, since ancient democracy, demagoguery was already considered something negative, since the politician “herded” society instead of obeying his commands.
In fact, Aristotle (384-322 BC) stated that demagogues were “flatterers of the people” and that their triumph in society usually led to the appearance of autocracies or personal tyrannies; although throughout history With the excuse of ending demagoguery, numerous dictatorships have been established.
Another negative feature of demagoguery is that does not lead the masses to fight for their interests but rather uses them for the very personal benefit of the demagogue or the political class, something that, according to certain authors, could distinguish demagoguery from populism. Both terms, however, are often used more or less synonymously.
See also: Proselytism
Examples of demagoguery
The following situations are examples of demagoguery:
- A ruling politician who introduces false dilemmas through their speeches to force the electorate to assume Manichean positions: “either you are with me or you are against me”, thus preventing critical judgment. The mere fact that questioning an argument turns one into an “enemy” is enough for few to dare to raise their voice against it.
- A politician in the campaign who, through flattery and expressions of supposed admiration for his electorate leads them to think of themselves as “the good guys” and the demagogue's political rivals as “the bad guys,” in order to take advantage of hatred and division to win elections.
- A ruler who He blames all the problems that his own administration has on his opponents politicians and the continuous intervention of their enemies, to never take responsibility for anything and radicalize their followers by making them feel under attack, thus perpetuating themselves in power.
References
- “Demagoguery” on Wikipedia.
- “Demagogy” in the Language Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- “Etymology of Demagogy” in the Online Spanish Etymological Dictionary.
- “Demagogy: the corrupt form of democracy” in El Periódico (Spain).
