At a time when the world is engulfed in populism, which hides its true nature behind a veneer of advocating for the rights of ordinary people, while its main goal is to deceive and misinform, it is crucial to recognize when you are being targeted.
It is important to establish why one should care about this matter in the first place. And the reasoning is simple- even if you are not interested in politics, it is certainly interested in you.
Let’s dissect the eight main tactics populists use in their speech. The first is called “Truth above all else.” They bombard you with absolute truths that cannot be denied. For example, phrases like “People are struggling to make ends meet” or “We deserve a better future.” This creates the illusion that everything they say afterward must also be true.
The second is “Presenting an isolated event as an all-pervasive issue.” They treat isolated incidents as definitive proof of systemic failure. For example, citing a single story about a struggling farmer as evidence of an entire industry in crisis, which makes the problem seem much more widespread than it really is.
The third is “Populist bites back.” When confronted with criticism, they are not inclined to defend themselves; instead, they are more likely to attack in response. For example, they dismiss allegations of corruption by pointing to scandals involving their rivals. By doing so, they create a political environment where no one appears trustworthy—except themselves.
The fourth tool is “It could’ve been better.” Even when their opponent succeeds, they strive to present it as inadequate. An example is, “Sure, unemployment is down, but it could be even lower if we had better leadership.” These kinds of statements keep dissatisfaction alive and well.
The fifth technique is “Irony, sarcasm, and hints instead of solid evidence.” Utterances like “Some people in power don’t want you to know the truth” engage the audience with a sense of hidden knowledge. People enjoy indulging in the idea of being above the mainstream and in the concept of a Deep State that beguiles many.
The sixth technique is “Dramatic body language matters.” To appear relatable, they speak in a casual, “everyman” style while exaggerated outrage conveys a sense of urgency. Phrases like “I see hardworking people here—people who deserve better than the elites who look down on them!” are accompanied by exasperated sighs, intense voices, and pauses that create a sense of authority. By turning speeches into performances, they create emotional connections that make their rhetoric more persuasive than reasoned debate.
The seventh trick is “Imply a causal link… even if there is no evidence.” An example is the phrase: “Ever since they opened the borders, crime has been out of control.” This implies a direct link between immigration and crime without evidence. Another example is: “Every time this party is in power, there’s a crisis. You do the math.” Again, no substantial proof is provided, leaving the audience to assume. As we can see, populists create arguments that seem viable at first glance but fall apart under scrutiny.
The eighth and final point is “Making sure the message sticks.” For example: “They call it leadership—I call it a failure. They call it reform—I call it corruption.” Here, populists reinforce a negative image through constant repetition. By hammering the same phrases over and over, they create a simplified, black-and-white narrative where their enemies are always villains, and they alone are fighting for the people. This trick is utterly insidious because the repetition plays with our subconscious.
As these techniques show, it is easy for many people to fall for populist speech. The flooding-the-zone strategy aims to confuse people and drive them to the edge of apathy, making it much harder to separate fact from fiction. However, mindful citizens should strive for reasonable political debates, avoid letting populists cater to their primal instincts, and dig beneath the surface in search of facts and solid evidence.
Alina Zozulia
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