A resemblance strikes me with the\u00a0Pied Piper of Hamelin<\/em>, luring children away into a cave, to never be seen again. The tale\u2019s pied piper did so out of revenge. The story of a demagogue frequently reveals revenge for personal humiliation.<\/p>\n So what is a demagogue? Shortly put:<\/p>\n A demagogue abuses a group\u2019s vulnerability, anxious in desperate circumstances, to readily put faith in any person who plays a tune of false promises.<\/strong><\/p>\n Anxiety makes people more suggestible. The underlying mechanism can thus be compared to group hypnosis. Not surprisingly, demagogues like rallies with group-hypnotizing effect: emotional drama, lots of repetition of easy slogans and \u2018memes\u2019\u2026 Frequently, there is an uncommon bodily characteristic of the demagogue \u2013 hair style for instance \u2013 that sets him apart from the crowd, drawing attention to himself and away from his hidden hypnotic schemes.<\/p>\n A demagogue doesn\u2019t need much insight in this process.<\/strong><\/p>\n Demagogy may require a lot of work, but the principle is easy. A driven fool can with some good luck easily become a demagogue. In a way, intelligence may even hinder. The demagogue doesn\u2019t think too much. Thus he comes forward as \u2018strong and decisive\u2019, like a heavy train, seemingly unstoppable\u2026 for a while. Unfortunately, this may take years.<\/p>\n A demagogue primarily needs a sufficient dose of not-caring.<\/strong><\/p>\n Usually, he tries out different ways and then simply follows the easiest route towards his goals, not-caring for anyone. Precisely through not-caring, he is able to always choose the direction that suits him most towards success. That\u2019s the really dangerous part, in which the demagogue may gain efficiency over the years. People meanwhile are deceived by the shiny stuff.<\/p>\n So how can we deal with demagogy?<\/strong><\/p>\n As a physician, I look at it as a \u2018symptom,\u2019 an indicator of some underlying societal ailment. Let\u2019s try to understand why the followers are prone to the abuse. Really listening to people is not easy. In the end, a demagogue\u2019s rise is by itself an indication that any other kind of listening has been flawed.<\/p>\n A countermeasure against demagogy is to look for people\u2019s desperation.<\/strong><\/p>\n Of course economic hardship doesn\u2019t positively add to the equation but nowadays, many people are mainly culturally desperate. Listen to the values they hold dear. Apparently, even having a Big Bully in power is better than losing those values. Culture needs nurturing. If things go too quickly, there is no time for nurturing. Then culture gets shaky. People stick to the remains and try to defend them the hard way: aggression towards \u2018the enemy.\u2019 Such a threat occasionally calls for a Big Wall. The real purpose of the wall, of course, is symbolic. The real enemy lies within.<\/p>\n Thus, it is mandatory that people find their inner strength.<\/strong><\/p>\n If attained in a nice way, the result of this may be a lot more and deeper friendliness to oneself and to others. There are positive consequences in work, life, health and play. If we don\u2019t practice this deep kind of friendliness however, then the demagogues of the future may be worse than ever.<\/p>\n So what is the answer to the demagogue of the day?<\/strong><\/p>\n Empathy<\/p>\n