Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

kentuck

(111,104 posts)
Wed Dec 23, 2015, 12:47 AM Dec 2015

How a demagogue is created?

From Google: dem·a·gogue
ˈdeməˌɡäɡ/
noun
noun: demagogue; plural noun: demagogues

a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.
synonyms: rabble-rouser, agitator, political agitator, soapbox orator, firebrand, fomenter, provocateur
"he was drawn into a circle of campus demagogues"
(in ancient Greece and Rome) a leader or orator who espoused the cause of the common people.

===================

The first step is to weaken the political resistance. Take over control of a political party.

The next step is to create enemies and declare that you are the one to defeat them. You will "bomb the shit out of them!"

The next step would be to rally the people's support behind your campaign to take power. It is easier to do when the people are angry and irritated with a Congress that does not work for them but for their wealthy masters.

Donald Trump is doing all of the above. He has taken over a big portion of a demoralized party and has taken out his opposition one at a time. That means that he has Ted Cruz in his sights and will destroy him when he is of little more use to his campaign.

So long as Ted Cruz is potentially allied with Donald Trump, the Republican establishment will not be able to get the delegates at the convention to rid themselves of this Trump and his grand plan. Trump and Cruz have the largest number of potential delegate votes at the present time and the GOP establishment doesn't know whether to shit or go blind?

Demagogues love ridicule and character assassination. They like to call names and belittle their opponents. Trump has taken it one step further. He is now resorting to what some might call vulgarity? He threatens, as if in a joking manner, that he would never kill reporters, like Putin is rumored to have done. His goal is to silence any criticism of himself.

That is what we, democratic underground, must confront in this type of destructive politics. We must stand united against demagogues.

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

ljm2002

(10,751 posts)
4. I'm sorry but that is not a fair statement...
Wed Dec 23, 2015, 09:30 AM
Dec 2015

...and comparing Hillary with The Donald is obnoxious.

I have my problems with her, but her overall approach is rational discussion, not demagoguery. Everyone has to appeal to emotions sometimes, she does it and every other politician in the race does it. I would never trust someone who did not ever appeal to emotions -- they would seem robotic.

Furthermore, given how truly disgusting Trump has become in the course of this campaign, and his latest vulgar attack on Clinton, I really think you should reconsider your statement here.

pampango

(24,692 posts)
3. "... appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument" sounds like
Wed Dec 23, 2015, 09:05 AM
Dec 2015

Trump and every other republican candidate. He is just better at it than the others are.

 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
5. I think the path to Trump has been paved by every person who ever excused the denigration of
Wed Dec 23, 2015, 09:52 AM
Dec 2015

any group of people by any public figure for any reason.

WiffenPoof

(2,404 posts)
6. Well Stated
Wed Dec 23, 2015, 09:56 AM
Dec 2015

I never miss any of your posts kentuck...I like your straight forward synopsis of how Trump arrived where he has and how Ted Cruz plays into the picture.

I quit laughing at Trump's antics almost from the start. I do not see what is so funny or humorous about this brut...this bully. It concerns me that so many still find his actions and words to be humorous...this is a dangerous man and he represents a real threat to our country.

-P

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»How a demagogue is create...