demagogue

is given to emotional appeals to the exclusion of rational thought. He focuses much of his rhetoric at the non-thinking side of human nature.

The difference between the mainstream politician and the demagogue is that the latter emphasizes emotional appeal to the exclusion of rational thought (Lomas 'Rhetoric of Demagoguery' 165). This is what many people think of when they hear the word 'demagogue': a rhetorical fire-breather who can turn an audience of supposedly rational people into a mob of howling madmen. This conception is slightly hyperbolic, but it essentially characterizes what demagogues try to do (Larson 346). The demagogue thus focuses much of his rhetoric at the 'non-thinking side of human nature' (Minnick 6), because if the audience paused to think, it might think twice about the demagogue.

is not given to reasoning, but offers pseudo-reasoning which often deceives the intelligence instead of enlightening it' (6). 'Pseudo-reasoning' refers to arguments which, while sounding good to the untutored listener, are in fact logically fallacious.

Specious argumentation. The demagogue does not ignore the cognitive aspect of rhetoric entirely. But when he does employ what classical rhetoric calls logos, his argument is often deliberately distorted. This can be true with respect to either reasoning, or evidence, or both. As Minnick notes, 'although the demagogue does not like to reason at all, he will at times offer a kind of pseudo-reasoning which often deceives the intelligence instead of enlightening it' (6). 'Pseudo-reasoning' refers to arguments which, while sounding good to the untutored listener, are in fact logically fallacious.

is one who may well feel the emotions he exploits in his audience, but the feelings are also a tool: 'Hate is aroused so that it will obscure thought and facilitate uncritical action'.

The demagogue may well feel the emotions he exploits in his audience, but the feelings are also a tool: 'Hate is aroused so that it will obscure thought and facilitate uncritical action' (Minnick 6).

Wayne MinnickThinkers

Wayne Minnick