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Tuesday February 23, 2010

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demagogue [DEM-uh-gog]

noun

1. A leader who seeks power by appealing to popular passions and prejudices of the people.
2. A leader of the people in ancient times.

• In fact, there is a dynamic that pushes politicians to embrace the preferences of the typical or "median" voter, who sits squarely in the middle of public opinion. A significant move to either the left or the right would open the door for a rival to take a more moderate stance, win the next election and change the agenda. Politicians will respond to this dynamic, whether they are power-seeking demagogues or more benevolent types who use elected office to help the world.
  Tyler Cowen, "Why Politics Is Stuck In the Middle", New York Times, Feb 7, 2010
• Granted, the world has to contend only with demagogues like Chavez, who at least grasps the clear evidence that climate change is happening; we've got to deal with the likes of Republican Sen. James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma, who considers it a hoax. Nonetheless, the U.S. bears an overwhelming burden of responsibility for the problem, and the world will follow only if it first sets a good example.
  "A warmup to a climate fix?; Regardless of last week's pact in Copenhagen, the U.S. must lead by example to spur global progress", Los Angeles Times, Dec 23, 2009
• Dispense with the doctor by being temperate; the lawyer by keeping out of debt; the demagogue, by voting for honest men; and poverty, by being industrious.
  Orison Swett Marden (1850 - 1924) An American writer. How to Succeed (1896)

Origin of the Word

Demagogue, approximately 1640, derives from Greek demagogos "leader of the people," from demos "people" + agogos "leader," from agein "to lead."?