June 12, 2025

The people as a body cannot deliberate. Nevertheless, they will feel an irresistible impulse to act, and their resolutions will be dictated to them by their demagogues…and the violent men, who are the most forward to gratify their passions, will be their favourites. What is called the government of the people is in fact too often the arbitrary power of such men.

Fisher Ames (1758–1808), American statesman, The Dangers of American Liberty (1805), Seldes p.10. He was a member of the first four U.S. Congresses, from 1789 to 1797.

What demagogues have you met up with or managed to observe over the course of your political career? Were they a joy to behold, or something else?

Demagoguery is among the great threats to democracy, as the masses are often so little immune to it. What amazes is that people such as Ames were aware of the danger so early in the life of the republic, probably because he was familiar with the lessons of ancient history. Unlike most of us.