More than 2000 years ago, Plato explained simply : “one person, one vote, a lot of legalities and you get demagogues, and the demagogues lather off the population, and pretty soon, you don’t have your democracy anymore”
A demagogue is defined as a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.
Demagogues appeal to the masses by being champions of the people, and they gain power through democratic means. They use an “us vs them” mindset so that whoever criticizes or opposes becomes an “enemy of the people”.
Demagogues use conflicts to their advantage to stay in power. A common enemy unites the people.
This is how tyranny can grow in a democracy warned Plato.
Martin Pham Dinh 