A "demagogue" is known for appealing to which aspect of the audience?

Boost your GRE vocabulary skills with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question offers hints and explanations to improve understanding and confidence for the exam!

The term "demagogue" refers to a political leader or orator who seeks to gain power by appealing to the emotions, fears, and prejudices of the populace rather than through rational argument or logical reasoning. Demagogues often exploit the passions and biases of their audience to rally support, often using fiery rhetoric and sensational claims to stir up strong feelings and create a sense of urgency.

In this context, appealing to passions and prejudices is central to the demagogue's strategy because it allows them to connect with the audience on an emotional level, often bypassing critical thinking and logical discourse. This approach can lead to the mobilization of people based on shared sentiments rather than informed opinions, making it a defining characteristic of a demagogue's tactics.

The other options, while important aspects of communication and persuasion, do not capture the essence of a demagogue's appeal as precisely. Logical reasoning and intellectual debate involve rational discourse and evidence-based arguments, which are typically not the forte of demagogues. Similarly, emotional intelligence is a more nuanced understanding of emotions rather than the manipulation of them for persuasive purposes as seen in the case of a demagogue.

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