Final answer:
Demagogues often rise to power through their charisma and ability to emotionally appeal to the masses, playing on populism and public dissatisfaction with elites. Democratic systems, particularly in presidential regimes, are susceptible to such leaders taking office due to the direct election process and perceived stability from the regularity of elections. Elections are vital in democracies for citizens to express their preferences and choose their leaders.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to PRM, demagogues come to power primarily due to their charisma and popularity (a). They capitalize on this by targeting the masses with emotional appeals and leveraging populism, which harbors a distrust of elites and mainstream politics. It is noted by scholars that demagogues can manipulate the thoughts and emotions of the population, focusing their narrative on unfair treatment by a certain group or elites. This manipulation can be based on legitimate grievances or be unfounded and lacking substantial evidence.
In democratic systems, both presidential and parliamentary, there is a vulnerability that allows for the emergence and persistence of populist movements. Especially in presidential regimes, where a single individual is elected and is held accountable, the direct election aspect can create an allure of democracy that may encourage the rise of populist leaders. However, these same leaders can remain in power due to their appeal to the people and the stability perceived by the regularity of elections. Public opinion and electoral processes are crucial in enabling such leaders to assume and maintain their positions.
Elections in a democracy are fundamental because they allow members of society to express opinions and preferences to elected officials (14.a). They are the mechanism by which the public can show support—or lack thereof—for policies and candidates, reflecting the core democratic principle that power ultimately rests with the people.