Aristotle said there are three good forms of government – monarchy, aristocracy and constitutional democracy – in which the rulers act for the common benefit. And there are three bad forms of government where rulers act for themselves: tyranny, oligarchy and demagogy. The ancient Greek philosopher argued the latter are perversions of the former.
This marks a sharp contrast to the mood earlier this year, when the Financial Times columnist Gideon Rachman published “The Age of the Strongman: How the Cult of the Leader Threatens Democracy Around the World”.
Autocrats tend to make mistakes – and persist with their errors for a long time – because it’s dangerous to oppose them. They also snuff out the creative thinking that keeps economies vibrant. Demagogues usually look more attractive in opposition, when they promise the world, than in power, when they often struggle to deliver. The UK’s sober new prime minister, Rishi Sunak, is an antidote to demagogy. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron held off a challenge from the demagogue Marine Le Pen to win a second term as French president. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 19-year grip on power is shaky in next year’s election because of the economic chaos he has inflicted on the country.
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