The insidious nature of the demagogue. Is Trump a demagogue?

In my opinion, demagoguery must include insidiousness.

A demagogue uses his or her powers of persuasion to control you, lure you in a seemingly attractive way, but before long, you are trapped in a way that it is almost impossible to extricate yourself. That is the meaning of the word 'insidious'. Alluring, pulling you in, and before you know it, you are in a nightmarish trap. Most cult leaders are demagogues. Many are insidious. Note that I often see the word 'insidious' being used in place of 'hideous', this is actually wrong.

If one cannot manipulate masses of people for a political power by manipulating emotions, catering to bias and prejudices, one is not a demagogue. One can have demagogic traits, but that not what I'm talking about.

A demagogue is often characterized by their appeal to the emotions, fears, prejudices, and ignorance of the populace, rather than by rational argument or respect for the facts. These leaders are adept at manipulating public sentiment and turning it towards their own political ends, using a variety of techniques that are both overt and subtle. The insidious nature of a demagogue lies in their ability to disguise manipulative tactics as genuine concern for the common people, often while pursuing their own power and interests.

One of the hallmark traits of a demagogue is their propensity to exploit societal divisions, whether they be economic, racial, religious, or cultural. By highlighting these divisions and portraying themselves as the champions of one particular group, demagogues can consolidate their power base, often at the expense of societal harmony. They frequently employ us-versus-them rhetoric, casting their opponents as enemies of the people or the nation, thereby justifying extreme measures against those branded as such.

Demagogues are also known for their charismatic oratory skills, which they use to captivate and sway audiences. Their speeches often contain simple, powerful messages that resonate with widespread grievances, offering simplistic solutions to complex problems. This appeal to emotion rather than reason helps demagogues to build a strong, personal connection with the public, fostering a cult of personality around themselves.

The manipulation of media and information is another critical aspect of a demagogue's approach. By controlling or influencing the flow of information, they can shape public perception to suit their needs, spreading propaganda and disinformation to discredit opponents and critics. The selective presentation of facts, or outright fabrication, helps to maintain their narrative and keep the populace aligned with their agenda.

Furthermore, demagogues often exhibit a disdain for established institutions and norms of governance, portraying them as corrupt or ineffective. This anti-establishment stance resonates with those disillusioned with the status quo, drawing more supporters to their cause. However, once in power, demagogues may undermine these very institutions to eliminate checks on their authority, consolidating power in a manner that threatens democratic principles and the rule of law.

The insidiousness of a demagogue's rise to power lies not just in their exploitation of societal divisions or manipulation of public sentiment, but also in the gradual erosion of democratic norms and institutions. The erosion often occurs incrementally, making it difficult for society to recognize and respond to the threat until it is too late. By the time the true nature and intentions of the demagogue are apparent, they may have already secured a level of power that is difficult to challenge.

So, the traits of a demagogue, including their appeal to emotion, exploitation of divisions, charismatic oratory, manipulation of information, and disdain for democratic norms, all contribute to their insidious nature. These leaders pose a significant threat to democratic societies, as they undermine the principles of rational discourse, equality, and the rule of law, often leaving lasting damage in their wake. Recognizing and responding to the rise of demagogues is essential for the preservation of democratic values and institutions.

Trump is a classic demagogue. History is replete with them, and the outcomes of their leadership almost always end in disaster for a nation.

 

The insidious nature of the demagogue. Is Trump a demagogue?

Only if you allow it to affect you. True of all demagoguery.

 

Trump isn't a siren, his supporters want to be bedazzled. They are willing to buy into nonsense and he is willing to sell it to them. It's almost symbiotic.

 

Have any of you taken a close, honest look at anti-Trumpers? I mean, seriously dude...lol

 

Is Trump a demagogue?



Is the Pope Catholic?
Maybe a wannabee demagogue....

Happy Easter Donnie!

 

TRaitor tRump IS a demagogue! He's a WANNABEE strongman dictator.

What I don't get (from the op)

"Demagogues are also known for their charismatic oratory skills, which they use to captivate and sway audiences."

How the **** anybody finds him charismatic is beyond me ... his "oratory skills" are like freshman high school kid giving a speech in speech class that he didn't prepare for.

But, I've gotta say I find him very educational, every time I hear his voice I get as far away from the source as I can and read a book. The poor bastards that find him captivating and able to sway their opinion must really be hard up for something to fill empty lives. That they believed his reality T.V. show was reality says a lot .

 

On personal level, that's true. But there are millions gullible people out there, and there is the question of morality for someone doing that to that many people.

When you talk like that, it gives me the idea that 'okay, let's shift the blame to the gullible folks', and that, in my view, doesn't get the demagogue off the hook. It's like your saying, 'if someone accepts my grift, I'm not guilty of a sin'.

If that is the gist of what you are saying, that doesn't work for me.

I do agree on the personal responsibility side of it, but, still......

Remember, a heroin addict, loving his drug, doesn't exonerate the pusher.

 

But, remember, a heroin addict, loving his drug, doesn't exonerate the pusher.

 

If "democracy" is rule by the people, its only logical that they should elect a "demagogue" as leader of the people.

 

To you and me, Trump has no 'oratory skills', but, the point his, his rhetoric achieves the demagogic effect in his believers. Trump's oratory skills are not as polished as others, but neither was Mussolini, whose prose was thought to be rough around the edges, but forceful, charismatic, and persuasive, riling up passions in people (similar to how a preacher preaches)..

Please understand that 'oratory skills', a term which might suggest 'eloquence and forceful delivery' can include the latter and exclude the former. Trump's skills are rhetorical and definitely not eloquent. His crowd are not sophisticated, for the most part, and eloquence wouldn't work on them anyway.

 

I don't see where the demagogue is necessarily insidious. The demagogue operates by giving voice to the pre-existing attitudes and prejudices of the people. It is easier to find a pre-existing parade, don the drum major's costume, and run to the front to lead it, than to cleverly and insidiously get a bunch of people moving in a parade.

In Trump's case, the Tea Party movement within the GOP was the pre-existing parade. Trump effectively took over leadership of the Tea Party. Now maybe Trump led the Tea Party in directions that it would not have taken by itself, but that is a result of more people with somewhat varying interests joining the parade. The Tea Party didn't have such strong antiabortion views, but adding the Christian right to the parade changed the parade. The US Supreme Court nominations were informed more by the Federalist Society than the Tea Party factions. But there is nothing indsidious about this. It was openly discussed all the way.

 

IMO, it's not oratory (or lack there of) skills but the "drone" and cadence of speech patterns. It's like background noise, seeping into the subconscious of 25% of the populace. Then the rhetoric feeds them, the audience, a common enemy that's causing their doom and gloom (perceived or real).

I believe Trump's publicly commented on the speech patterns of other people before, which would mean he's aware of it's influence, positively or negatively.

 

I support personal responsibility in everything. But thanks for laying blame on me. I found that entertaining.

 

Is that a rhetorical question?

 

Trump identified and supercharged the core value of the tea party. White resentment and racism, which is the core of Trumpism.

 

Yes theoretically but in practice democracy is nothing more than using elections to choose leaders. I think people who think they have any control over "their" government because of democracy are overly optimistic.

 

That is scary. Then it is a good thing "Trumpism" doesn't exist.

 

Turnout varies considerably, but House districts usually have about 300,000 votes to elect a Representative. So your "control" is to cast 1 in 300,000 votes for 1 in 435 Representatives.

The actual control of our government is largely in the hands of those who control who gets on the ballot for each election.

 

The control is in the hands of those who were elected and they will do what they do despite what they said they would do.

 

You mean like
Liz Cheney
Adam Kitzinger
Mitt Romney?????

 

He says what they want to hear.
He expresses their irrational hate
He shares their anger and hate

Whether he believes it or not is irrelevant to them.

 

In my opinion you're wrong. In fact, it is leftists who use their powers of persuasion to control you, lure you in a seemingly attractive way, but before long, you are trapped in a way that it is almost impossible to extricate yourself, trapping people in generational poverty. This is why Trump appeals more to the working class than Biden and the democrats do. The left have a hive mind like the Borg Collective.

 

That they cut themselves off from truth to pursue the lie...

"Fool me once shame on Trump...Fool me twice and call me MAGA."

 

So let me get this straight, he isn't Hitler and he IS a demagogue?
Thanks for that info, looking forward to your next Trump thread.

 

Yet is was Reagan's trickle down that created that poverty.

No, it's the right that have been brain washed to believe that RW politics are in their best interest, when it's obviously not. TRaitor tRump has capitalized on the RW base being conditioned to vote against there own best interests.