The "P" Word: Fisticuffs

Father Asks: Well RJ I am having a pet peeve with Liberal types who at the drop of a hat scream prejudice. If some one has a question on a talk site…they are prejudice…. If they don’t know something the p word come out some more. Every time someone disagrees …P word. It seems that by doing this they are reducing the word to a sound that one makes if they disagree.

Son Replies: Father,

Let me start with this word, "demagogy." (noun - impassioned appeals to the prejudices and emotions of the populace) Ever since Aristophanes first coined this term (see wikipedia:demagogy) it has been a powerful tool in all forms of rhetoric and public discourse. This usage of the word "prejudice" to stifle disagreement is a form of demagogy. Comparing our president to Adolf Hitler is demagogy. American's emotional links to these two words, "prejudice" from the civil rights era, and "Hitler" from World War II is both profound and vulnerable to manipulation.

It is in my thinking that using demagogy to win a debate, make a point, or just appear to be right, is akin to bringing a knife to a fist fight. Now that someone brought a knife to the fight, no one will know who is the better pugilist, only who brought the knife. Demagogy prevents actual discourse, and any real understanding.

In places of discussion, even on the seedy internet, I believe it irresponsible to be using such a technique. Feel free to point out that using words, and phrases used to simply illicit emotional responses does not indicate moral superiority or cogency of argument. However, be aware of your own uses in your media, friends, and places of discussion. Often times in a knife fight, once someone pulls a blade, everyone else does. The same phenomenon can be observed in public discourse. Some one will cry "bigot" however the other side is screaming "lynch him!"

I find demagogy curious in that it rarely is true, or even of any comparison. People who use it, often are even aware of this. So before taking the high ground and claiming that using such words is juvenile and not constructive; remember you might still have your knife out.