Annons
The word, Greek in origin, is, as the Atlantic wrote late last year, used as a "sweeping dismissal," one that's "slightly gentler than 'fascist' and slightly more dignified than 'buffoon.'" Demagogues, they write, "undermine the stability of a 'by the people' form of government particularly by turning 'the people' against each other. They represent a danger not just to electoral outcomes or political parties, but to democracy itself."Over the years and across the globe, we've seen many examples of charismatic agitators rise through the ranks with a straightforward populist agenda and an ax to grind. That isn't even always a bad thing! Malcolm X, for instance, falls onto the right side of the demagogic history. But most of the time firebrand speeches are hiding something more sinister. Whenever Donald Trump spews toxic rhetoric about building a giant wall or China, he's following in the footsteps of a long line of shitlord opportunists capitalizing on the ignorant masses to massage their own brands.We wanted to avoid obvious examples here, so you won't find an entry on Adolph Hitler or Joseph McCarthy. Instead we wanted to provide a few less-notorious examples of soapbox orators who've altered history in both big and small ways. Here now, a brief history of Trump-like demagogues.Your debate lookups — Kory Stamper (@KoryStamper)October 10, 2016