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Demagoguery and Democracy by Patricia Roberts-Miller

Demagoguery and Democracy

Patricia Roberts-Miller

The Experiment · Print & ebook · March 17, 2020

A Politics pick for readers exploring Demagoguery and Democracy.

Political PhilosophyDemocracyPropagandapolitics
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Who it’s for
A clear-eyed look at how us-versus-them thinking endangers democratic debate.
Themes
Demagoguery and democracy, Us-versus-them rhetoric, Rational debate and policymaking
Genres
Democracy, Propaganda, Political Philosophy

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For younger readers: Strongman, You Call This Democracy?, Big Lies

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About this book

What is demagoguery? Some demagogues are easy to spot: They rise to power through pandering, charisma, and prejudice. But, as professor Patricia Roberts-Miller explains, a demagogue is anyone who reduces all questions to us vs. them. Why is it dangerous? Demagoguery is democracy’s greatest threat. It erodes rational debate, so that intelligent policymaking grinds to a halt. The idea that we never fall for it—that all the blame lies with them—is equally dangerous.

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How can we stop it? Demagogues follow predictable patterns in what they say and do to gain power. The key to resisting demagoguery is to name it when you see it—and to know where it leads.

Rhetoric Under Scrutiny

A clear-eyed look at how us-versus-them thinking endangers democratic debate.

Come here for

  • A sharper way to recognize demagoguery
  • The uneasy reminder that no side is immune

Expect

  • Attention to how demagoguery stalls rational debate
  • A focus on naming its patterns and where they lead

Where it sits

Democracy64%
Propaganda56%
Political Philosophy34%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Rhetoric
  • Political Philosophy
  • Fascism & Totalitarianism
Authors
Patricia Roberts-Miller
Publisher
The Experiment
Published
March 17, 2020
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Demagoguery and democracy · Us-versus-them rhetoric · Rational debate and policymaking
Reading lane
Rhetoric