Demagogues, Populists And Their Helpers: Politics of Division, Deceit and Conflict

By Terry Nettle

Politicians have always been held in high esteem in every country. They are respected as those who lead, make important decisions, and who work to ensure the safety, security and prosperity of the country. Indeed, many politicians are strategic thinkers, opinion-leaders, planners, and administrator and executives in government and key institutions. They are supposed to be intelligent and compassionate and are committed to serve their community and nation with integrity, honesty and diligence.

Unfortunately, that is often not what we see in many politicians. In fact, there are many politicians all over the world who are self-centred, self-deluded, and are focused on grabbing power and advancing their own interest and the interest of their own special groups.

The demagogues of politicians style themselves as populists and seek to divide and deceive the people to get elected. The political hotheads incite and foment conflicts and violence to seize power.

How did this terrible scenario come about? How can such a noble profession becomes so destructive? How does honour in politics degenerate into dishonour? How does the admirable idealism of politics turn into backroom underhanded deals of corrupt politicians? How do we change this toxic political culture? How do we stop school children and university students from being used as pawns?These are the important issues addressed in this book.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terry Nettle
• Release date: May 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201592271

Book preview

Chapter 1. Politicians

Normally, in every society, politicians occupy a pride of place. This is partly because they are in the position of power, partly because they project confidence, and partly because they are skillful orators.

Politicians are respected as those who lead, who make important decisions, and who work to ensure the safety, security and prosperity of the country. Many politicians are strategic thinkers, opinion-leaders, planners, administrator and executives in government and key institutions. Indeed, politicians are supposed to be intelligent and compassionate people who are committed to serve their community and nation with integrity, honesty and diligence.

Unfortunately, with globalization and the ever increasing demand for economic growth, there have been growing competitive pressures among nations and rapidly widening inequalities within nations. Together with the ever increasing difficulty to meet the rising expectations of the populace for more goods and services, this has created much unhappiness and discontent among various sections of the community.

This is the fertile breeding ground for a type of politicians known as demagogues and populists. These politicians zoom in on the discontent of large sections of the people and leverage on the prejudices and unfulfilled demands of the discontented masses to gain support and seize political power. These unscrupulous politicians are self-centred, self-deluded, and are focused on grabbing power and advancing their own interest and the interest of their own clans and circles.

How did this terrible situation come about? How does such a noble profession of politics become so destructive? How does honour in politics degenerate into so much dishonour? How does the admirable idealism of politics turn into the underhanded backroom deals of corrupt politicians?

Chapter 2. Demagogue and Populists

As we can see, demagogues seek to divide