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Evan Thomas · March 13, 2013, 11:08 AM

Heck, overhead, it goes back at least to ancient Greece -- see this Wikipedia article on demagogues.

Here's a taste:

Demagogues have appeared in democracies since ancient Athens. They exploit a fundamental weakness in democracy: because ultimate power is held by the people, nothing stops the people from giving that power to someone who appeals to the lowest common denominator of a large segment of the population.

Sound familiar?

March 13, 2013, 11:08 AM	#26
Evan Thomas Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 5,631	Heck, overhead, it goes back at least to ancient Greece -- see this Wikipedia article on demagogues. Here's a taste: Demagogues have appeared in democracies since ancient Athens. They exploit a fundamental weakness in democracy: because ultimate power is held by the people, nothing stops the people from giving that power to someone who appeals to the lowest common denominator of a large segment of the population. Sound familiar? __________________ Never let anything mechanical know you're in a hurry.