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Articles on Demagogues

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This booking photo provided by Fulton County Sheriff’s Office shows Donald Trump on Aug. 24, 2023, after he surrendered and was booked at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. Trump is accused of scheming to subvert the will of Georgia voters in a desperate bid to keep Joe Biden out of the White House. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office via AP)

Trump indicted in Georgia: Why do his supporters remain loyal?

Those who support Donald Trump unconditionally have not wavered. Their support encompasses numerous groups and reasons, but first and foremost, they believe Trump gives them what they want.
Benjamin Netanyahu sits in the Knesset before parliament voted June 13, 2021, in Jerusalem to approve the new government that doesn’t include him, Amir Levy/Getty Images

It wasn’t just politics that led to Netanyahu’s ouster – it was fear of his demagoguery

Benjamin Netanyahu wasn’t ousted just for typical political reasons, such as other politicians’ ambitions or grievances. He was thrown out because he was seen as a threat to democracy.
Donald Trump in front of Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota, July 3, 2020. Saul Loeb/AFP

Donald Trump’s heroic fantasy

An analysis of Donald Trump’s speech at Mount Rushmore reveals the underbelly of his constant use of heroic rhetoric.
President-elect Trump at a post-election rally in Mobile, Alabama, Dec. 17, 2016. Mark Wallheiser/Getty

A field guide to Trump’s dangerous rhetoric

Donald Trump uses language like a dangerous demagogue. The author of a book on Trump’s rhetorical skill gives a guide to the six most important rhetorical strategies Trump uses.
State police officers during a “Reopen Virginia” rally around Capitol Square in Richmond on April 22, 2020. Getty/Ryan M. Kelly / AFP

Are we living in a dystopia?

‘Dystopia’ is a term that’s gained popularity during the coronavirus pandemic. But it’s not a synonym for ‘a bad time,’ and a government’s poor handling of a crisis does not constitute dystopia.
Donald Trump is no Richard Nixon. And that’s why he’ll never willingly leave office in 2020. (The Associated Press)

Trump will cling to power — and Republicans will cling to him

Trump will survive the impeachment process in 2020, no matter what malfeasance comes to light. The Republicans will protect their man at all costs.
White nationalists clash with protesters at the Aug. 12, 2017 Charlottesville, Va. rally that turned deadly violent. Steve Helber/AP Photo

The politics of fear: How fear goes tribal, allowing us to be manipulated

Fear is very much a part of humans’ survival. Demagogues and others who want to manipulate have learned that this human trait can be exploited, often with disastrous consequences.
Donald Trump’s policies represent a particular attack on American youth and children, particularly those who are disadvantaged. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Fascism’s return and Trump’s war on youth

Call it Fascism, American-Style. Donald Trump’s embrace of authoritarian ideals has extended to a veritable war on America’s youth.
Peisistratus the tryant enters Athens with a woman dressed as Athena (wisdom) to fool the mob.

Will Trump be a tyrant, and how will we tell? Some classical pointers

No one said he’d win the Presidency. He has. Many fear that Trump will be a tyrant. Will he be? Writers from Thucydides to Montesquieu have dissected tyranny. Their words assume new pertinence given these fears, and may cast analytic light on coming events.
A billboard of US president-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Danilovgrad, Montenegro. Reuters/Stevo Vasiljevic

Beware of misleaders who thrive on fear and capitalise on crises

The world needs great leaders who thrive on making a positive difference to people’s lives and not on festering fear and war mongering.

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