demagog
Exploiter of fears
Demagog is a less common spelling of demagogue—a political leader who gains power by appealing to popular emotions, prejudices, and fears rather than rational argument.
Demagogues typically scapegoat minorities, make grandiose promises, and position themselves as champions of ordinary people against corrupt elites: The demagog whipped the crowd into a frenzy with talk of foreign invaders.
Formal eloquent discourse
- eloquencePersuasive verbal grace
- speechmakingDelivering formal spoken addresses
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- grandiloquencePompous, extravagant language
bombast · harangue · tirade · diatribe · rabble-rousing · soapbox · stump speech · firebrand
Biased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- fearmongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- scapegoatingUnfairly assigning fault to innocents
brainwashing · indoctrination · spin · distortion · half-truths · sensationalism · yellow journalism · dog whistle
Emotional response to threat
- angerIntense hostile emotion
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
anxiety · fervor · passion · indignation · discontent · betrayal · distrust · suspicion
Attracting iron or attention
- spellbindingCompletely capturing one's attention
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
- mesmerizingCompletely capturing one's attention
- cult of personalityExcessive veneration of leader
following · devotees · true believers · rallies · adulation · fanatical · zealots · disciples
Bulk or populace
- grassrootsCommon people as political base
- common manTypical ordinary citizen
- vox populiVoice of the people
- mob ruleDominance by unruly crowds
rabble · plebeian · rank-and-file · majoritarian · nativist · outsider · establishment · elite
Causing sharp disagreement
- fearmongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
- tribalismIn-group loyalty, out-group hostility
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
discord · antagonism · partisanship · wedge · alienation · resentment · grievance · outgroup
oratory
Formal eloquent discourse
- eloquencePersuasive verbal grace
- speechmakingDelivering formal spoken addresses
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
grandiloquence · bombast · harangue · tirade · diatribe · rabble-rousing · soapbox · stump speech · firebrand · agitator
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- fearmongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated threats
scapegoating · brainwashing · indoctrination · spin · distortion · half-truths · sensationalism · yellow journalism · dog whistle · gaslighting
fear
Emotional response to threat
- angerIntense hostile emotion
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
grievance · anxiety · fervor · passion · indignation · discontent · betrayal · distrust · suspicion · hysteria
magnetic
Attracting iron or attention
- spellbindingCompletely capturing one's attention
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
- mesmerizingCompletely capturing one's attention
cult of personality · following · devotees · true believers · rallies · adulation · fanatical · zealots · disciples · movement
masses
Bulk or populace
- grassrootsCommon people as political base
- common manTypical ordinary citizen
- vox populiVoice of the people
mob rule · rabble · plebeian · rank-and-file · majoritarian · nativist · outsider · establishment · elite · grievance
divisive
Causing sharp disagreement
- fearmongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
- tribalismIn-group loyalty, out-group hostility
factionalism · discord · antagonism · partisanship · wedge · alienation · resentment · grievance · outgroup · ingroup
demagogstatesman
Respected political leader
stateswoman · philosopher-king · elder statesman · diplomat · public servant
demagogtruth-teller
One who speaks accurately
voice of reason · reasoner · deliberator · sage · straight shooter