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Demagogue vs Politician - What's the difference?

demagogue | politician |

As nouns the difference between demagogue and politician

is that demagogue is a leader of the people while politician is one engaged in politics, especially an elected or appointed government official.

As a verb demagogue

is to speak or act in the manner of a demagogue; to speak about (an issue) in the manner of a demagogue.

demagogue

English

Alternative forms

* demagog

Noun

(en noun)
  • (historical) A leader of the people.
  • (pejorative) A political orator or leader who gains favor by pandering to or exciting the passions and prejudices of the audience rather than by using rational argument.
  • * 1938 , , 424 BC, tr. O'Neill , lines 191-193,
    • A demagogue must be neither an educated nor an honest man; he has to be an ignoramus and a rogue.
  • * 1949 , , p. ix,
    • If the majority of our fellow-citizens are more susceptible to the slogans of fear and race hatred than to those of peaceful accommodation and mutual respect among human beings, our political liberties remain at the mercy of any eloquent and unscrupulous demagogue .
  • * 2004 December 4, , Why It’s Time to Worry]'', [[w:Newsweek, Newsweek],
    • It is true that America has a paranoid streak in its politics, and demagogues come along from time to time to feed on anger and resentment.

    Derived terms

    * demagogic * demagogical * demagogism * demagogy * demagoguery

    Related terms

    * * * *

    Verb

    (demagogu)
  • (intransitive, and, transitive) To speak or act in the manner of a demagogue; to speak about (an issue) in the manner of a demagogue.
  • * '', quoted in 1970 , Richard B. Henderson, ''Maury Maverick: A Political Biography , page 183,
    • I never demagogued on our serious questions and stood for civil liberties.
  • * 1995 , Richard J. Carroll, An Economic Record of Presidential Performance: From Truman to Bush , page 171,
    • On the subject of foreign aid, although it is a relatively unimportant economic category, it is an area of expenditure that has frequently been demagogued and has been a favorite target of politicians during tough times in the domestic economy.
  • * 2006 , Patrick Hynes, In Defense of the Religious Right , page 194,
    • Talk to anyone with half a brain (and at least half a heart) and they will tell you, regardless of their position, that this is an issue to be weighed , not demagogued .

    politician

    English

    Alternative forms

    * polititian (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One engaged in politics, especially an elected or appointed government official.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-08-31, volume=408, issue=8851, magazine=(The Economist)
    • , title= The Satirical Verses , passage=It is not just politicians who find aspects of the explosion in satire unwelcome. Thanks to the internet, professional purveyors of the stuff face a lot more competition. For once, the joke is at their expense. A niche craft practised by a talented few has turned into a globally popular hobby, and what was once considered audacious commentary is now mainstream.}}
  • Specifically, one who regards elected political office as a career.
  • * {{quote-book, 1996, (Tom Clancy), page=438, isbn=0399142185, title= Executive Orders
    • , passage=I never wanted to be one, and as far as I'm concerned, I'm not a politician now. Am I the best man for this job? Probably not. I am, however, the President of the United States,
  • A politically active or interested person.
  • * {{quote-book, 1863, chapter=The Fountain Kloof, , page=211, title= The Sunday at Home
    • , passage=You used to be such a politician . Do you remember the debates we held in Fitzroy's rooms?}}
  • A sly or ingratiating person.
  • * {{quote-book, 1969, David E. Sanford, title= My Village, My World, page=90
    • , passage=Mrs. Dimitriou blushed at the compliment. "Antonios, you are such a politician ," her husband chuckled. }}