Difference between revisions of "Demagogue"
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| + | [[File:Farrakhan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, one of several public figures who exemplifies the definition of the word "Demagogue"]] | ||
A '''Demagogue''' (from the Greek ''dêm(os)'', people, + ''agōgós'', leading) is a public speaker who is able to sway an [[audience]] into ignoble thoughts and actions. This is accomplished by manipulating the emotions, prejudices, and passions of listeners. Demagogues frequently employ [[deceit]] in their [[rhetoric]]. | A '''Demagogue''' (from the Greek ''dêm(os)'', people, + ''agōgós'', leading) is a public speaker who is able to sway an [[audience]] into ignoble thoughts and actions. This is accomplished by manipulating the emotions, prejudices, and passions of listeners. Demagogues frequently employ [[deceit]] in their [[rhetoric]]. | ||
Revision as of 12:53, February 18, 2017
A Demagogue (from the Greek dêm(os), people, + agōgós, leading) is a public speaker who is able to sway an audience into ignoble thoughts and actions. This is accomplished by manipulating the emotions, prejudices, and passions of listeners. Demagogues frequently employ deceit in their rhetoric.
Demagogues with an evil intent are epitomized historically by Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot and Fidel Castro; Barack Obama, Hugo Chavez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are more contemporary examples. Other public figures who are viewed as demagogues include political activists Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Louis Farrakhan and broadcasters Rachel Maddow, Chris Matthews and Piers Morgan.