Characteristics Of Deagoguery

The 2016 Presidential Election is approaching quickly, and as is customary a number of highly controversial issues have taken center stage and each side argues their position with oftentimes charged rhetoric. Using the rhetorical strategies discussed in class (ethos, pathos, and logos) in varying degrees and combinations both Democrats and Republicans appeal to their base and attempt to reach out to those who are on the fence. Oftentimes, whether a presentation or piece of controversial writing is political or apolitical a sizable majority of the readership will begin reading with preconceived notions. Those who take a hardline stance against the writer's position typically will never be convinced to adopt it. However, a large minority of readers

Is war the greatest weapon that political leaders can use? The answer is no because the manipulation of the minds of citizens can be used to enforce almost any demand imaginable. During the Red Scare, Senator Joseph McCarthy used this tactic to exploit the fear of Communists in ordinary United States citizens. The Red Scare was the most influential event on America in the 20th century because it made the U.S. biased against different forms of political ideology, created a judgmental society that had too large of an ego, and paved the way for America to take part in unnecessary foreign affairs.

In the essay, “Propaganda: How Not to be Bamboozled,” and “The World of Doublespeak,” both authors discuss and explains the unusual types of propaganda and the misleading nature of doublespeak. First, Donna Woolfolk Cross describes the constructions and the specific methods propaganda presented in our day by day life, and how to avoid being tricked. Also Cross believes that it is important for People in a democratic society to be well informed about propaganda due to how people get manipulated into simply doing something except thinking. Additionally, Cross explains for us as readers the different sorts of propaganda and how we view the topics in a positive way. She highlights in her essay that propaganda is not continually negative; however, it also used in significant ways. Cross presents in her essay that there are thirteen different types of propaganda; such as Card Stacking, Name calling, and

In Cross’s opinion, she believes people are bamboozled by propaganda because they fail to recognize when they experience it (248). The thirteen propaganda methods Cross describes in this essay include the following: Name-Calling, Glittering Generalities, Plain-Folks Appeal, Arguementum Ad Populum (Stroking),

Based on Hedge’s iconic statement that “the most essential skill… is artifice”, one can infer that politicians use narrative as a strategy to increase their following. This causes controversy among the audience who may only decide their candidate through a subliminal message therefore empathizing with the candidate rather than voting based on their intellect and opinions. While it may seem as regular propaganda, it is a tool to deceive the viewer. Although it may be a compelling strategy, artifice creates a barrier between the politician and the audience making the politician unable to connect with his followers.

In the essay, “Propaganda: How Not to be Bamboozled,” and “The World of Doublespeak,” both authors discuss and explains the unusual types of propaganda and the misleading nature of doublespeak. First, Donna Woolfolk Cross describes the constructions and the specific methods propaganda presented in our day by day life, and how to avoid being tricked. Also Cross believes that it is important for people in a democratic society to be well informed about propaganda due to how people get manipulated into simply doing something except thinking. Additionally, Cross explains for us as readers the different sorts of propaganda and how we view the topics in a positive way. She highlights in her essay that propaganda is not continually negative; however, it also used in significant ways. Cross presents in her essay that there are thirteen different types of propaganda; such as Card Stacking, Name calling, and Glittering

“what we call “rhetoric” can be traced back to the natural instinct to survive and to control our environment and influence the actions of others in what seems the best interest of ourselves, our families, our social and political groups, and our descendants.” (Page 1 of Kennedy)

techniques; one of the most prevalent methods would undoubtedly be the employment of the logical fallacy, “Ad Hominem” (against the man), by which arguments are directed at individuals rather than positions.

Cooke states, “Through a sophisticated appreciation of the power of image, ready access to communication technologies, and a new mobilization of dehumanizing images and language, non-state extremist groups have become experts in using propaganda to extend their influence and maintain a flow of recruits and resources” (Cooke.)Today, people put to use these sophisticated technologies to continue this now seemingly crucial aspect of extreme position or view. Unfortunately spin techniques are now employed heavily, not for the common good, but to further self-interests of greed, power, and authority. The ends no longer justify the means. The once noble use of spin to boost morale and ultimately win a war too costly to lose, has since degraded into a special interest feeding frenzy. And in spite of increased levels of public awareness of spin, the techniques are still working to sway public opinion.

Throughout history, when it comes to a national crisis, many leaders and politicians tend to advance towards what the people want to hear. In order to gain their audience’s support, most political leaders and public speakers use the practice of demagoguery to have useful influence held towards their argument. In Patricia Roberts-Miller’s article “Democracy, Demagoguery, and Critical Rhetoric,” analyzes what demagoguery is and how it affects the audience. Speakers or authoritative figures that engage with demagoguery use strategies such as scapegoating and polarization in order to establish a separation between in-groups and out-groups; in-groups tend to form hateful discrimination on out-groups and define them with negative features. An example of demagoguery that Roberts-Miller uses is in Adolf Hitler’s speech about how he wanted German people to change their views and beliefs on the Jewish. Her article however, also consists of several fallacies and may seem somewhat unethical. Throughout Wayne LaPierre’s speech on the Newtown Tragedy in 2012, there is usage of what Roberts-Miller claims to be demagoguery. Wayne LaPierre is the Vice President of the National Rifle Association (NRA). After the shooting that occurred at Sandy Hook elementary, LaPierre expresses his sympathy for the families of the loss and he then gathers the attention of parents who may be uneasy about their children’s safety at school. Throughout

Demagoguery attempts to simplify an argument so much so that it effectively shuts down any discussion. Through the use of rhetorical fallacies and other techniques, demagogues persuade the masses to support them. Although it can be successful, demagoguery is usually associated with a negative connotation because it plays on prejudices and emotions rather than rational. In Patricia Roberts Miller’s brief article, “Characteristics of Demagoguery,” she defines the various concepts of demagoguery, and using her article as a lens, both Wayne LaPierre’s transcript of his speech on Newtown Tragedy and Donald Trump’s presidential announcement contain different aspects of demagoguery like scapegoating, polarization,

While not all political leaders are seeking only their own benefit, many of them do, causing distrust among the community. This is why, in particular, a large percentage of the American citizens simply choose to be as little involved in the country’s current affairs as they possibly can. To put thing into a simpler and more modern perspective with politics, just recently, there was the 2016 election, in which Donald Trump was elected as the new President of the United States of America. Whether it was conferred over television, newspaper, or as one of the many articles across the entire internet, they all continued to go on incessantly about how much of a joke the two candidates were; while one caused a security breach that would have put anyone else in prison, the other was not afraid to show how much they embraced their own hatred. They would always be commenting on how unfit either of them were to be responsible for the wellbeing of the country, much like the two deceitful sisters that rose to power in King

Confessing one 's political identity in 2016 truly embodies the phrase “walking on eggshells”. Whether you’re a liberal or conservative, owning up to your political resolutions sometimes comes with some intense backlash. In this years’ presidential election we have an intense candidate with very radical views, and if you don 't know who I’m talking about you should probably move from the rock you are living under. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has gained a immense popularity amongst not only the American public but Internationally as well. His chauvinist rhetoric, egotistical outlook, and how he continuously fabricates lies upon lies has truly brought him into the public eye. Hearing Trumps incredibly horrifying agenda makes me proud to admit that I am a Democrat, a solid liberal to be exact. As a solid liberal I believe in the power of the people and that means all people.Whether you are rich, poor, black, white, gay, or straight building and creating a nation that caters to people inherently means doing right by the economy and when we do well for the economy we do well for everyone.

While the term propaganda is usually uttered oozing with negative connotation, it is important to understand that it is not only the tool of “totalitarian regimes,” but is also employed by “liberal democracies” (Taylor 3). The only difference between these two propaganda users (or abusers) is the intended audience and the rival group being criminalized.

To some speakers and writers, propaganda is an evil instrument. The negative approaches make a part of the world think that propagandists hoodwink the population, use half-truths, lie, conceal and distort facts. Although there are many pessimistic perspectives, there are others who have a positive view and think especially of techniques, slogans, catchwords and other devices. They prefer effective language, the rhetoric way, to persuade the audience (Pan, 2012).