Alexander Hamilton penned a stark warning over two centuries ago. He wrote, “Of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants.” This powerful sentence captures a dangerous political pattern. It describes how ambitious leaders can use popular appeal to gain power, only to dismantle the very freedoms they promised to protect. Hamilton’s insight was not just a comment on his time. It remains a crucial lesson for any society that values its liberty.
This observation comes from The Federalist No. 1, the first of a series of essays arguing for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution . Hamilton, along with James Madison and John Jay, wrote these essays to convince the people of New York to adopt the new framework of government. They understood the fragility of their new republic. Their greatest fear was that internal division or a charismatic manipulator could undo the hard-won gains of the revolution. Hamilton worried that a thirst for absolute power often hides behind a mask of public service. He saw history as a catalog of republics that fell not to foreign invaders, but to popular leaders who became dictators.
The Anatomy of a Tyrant’s Rise
Hamilton’s quote outlines a three-step process from populist to tyrant. Understanding each stage is key to recognizing the danger he described. The journey begins with a leader “paying an obsequious court to the people.” The word “obsequious” means excessively attentive or servile. This leader does not engage in honest debate. Instead, they flatter the public, validate their grievances, and appeal to their basest emotions and prejudices. They present themselves as the sole champion of the common person against a corrupt and out-of-touch elite.
This flattery leads to the second stage: “commencing demagogues.” A demagogue is a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument. They thrive on creating division. They often use an “us versus them” narrative, simplifying complex problems into a battle between the pure, noble people and a sinister enemy. This enemy could be a political establishment, a minority group, or a foreign power. The demagogue’s goal is to amass personal power by channeling public anger and fear, bypassing established political norms and institutions.
From Demagogue to Tyrant
The final, tragic step is “ending tyrants.” Once a demagogue consolidates enough power, the mask comes off. The initial promises of championing the people are forgotten. They begin to dismantle the checks and balances that limit their authority. Free press, independent courts, and political opposition are branded as enemies of the people. The leader who claimed to be the ultimate servant of the public becomes its absolute master. Liberty gives way to authoritarian control. History provides numerous examples of this progression . The pattern is disturbingly consistent across different cultures and eras.
Hamilton and his contemporaries were deeply read in classical history. They had studied the fall of the Roman Republic, where figures like Julius Caesar used popular support to subvert republican institutions and establish a dictatorship . Hamilton’s warning was a direct reflection of these historical lessons. He argued that a dangerous ambition often lurks more in the fervent populist than in the stern, and sometimes unpopular, statesman. He believed that a government must be strong enough to protect liberty from both foreign threats and the internal decay caused by demagoguery.
The Warning’s Modern Echoes
Hamilton’s words resonate powerfully today. The core tactics of demagoguery have not changed, though the tools have evolved. Modern technology and social media allow charismatic figures to bypass traditional media and speak directly to millions. This can be used to spread misinformation and amplify divisive rhetoric with incredible speed and efficiency . Leaders can create echo chambers where their followers are only exposed to information that confirms their biases, making rational debate nearly impossible.
The modern demagogue still presents simple answers to complex issues like economic inequality, immigration, and global trade. They cultivate a cult of personality, suggesting that they alone can fix the nation’s problems. This approach encourages citizens to place their faith in a single leader rather than in democratic processes and institutions. When these institutions are attacked as corrupt or rigged, it weakens the entire foundation of a republic. This erosion of trust is a critical step on the path from a free society to an authoritarian one. Hamilton’s timeless quote serves as a reminder to be vigilant. It urges citizens to favor reason over passion, to scrutinize leaders who offer easy solutions, and to defend the institutions that safeguard liberty.