# 29. "We, the people" fallacy ## 29.1. Definition This is a method of gaining popularity in which politicians pretend to have the same origins and motivations as the "common folk". The manipulative politician implies that they have a proper understanding of and sympathy for the daily strife of "ordinary" working people. Politicians almost always talk about "what the people feel", but really, there is no such thing as "the people". It is just a discursive device for summoning "the people" that the politicians want to or pretend to represent. The use of this fallacy in political manipulation is similar in form to the "plain folk" technique discussed earlier in this book. ## 29.2. Persistence Short to Long. Winston Churchill is still perceived as a politician of "the people" despite his family relationship with the Royal family and the higher echelons of the British aristocracy. And that myth was created more than 70 years ago. ## 29.3. Accessibility Low to Medium: This is really only available to existing members of the political classes. ## 29.4. Conditions/Opportunity/Effectiveness This is a predominantly political technique used to try and alter the perception of a politician. It is therefore really only available to active politicians. It can be very effective in creating a long term impression that a politician, political party or other leader has sympathy with "ordinary people". It can be hard and time-consuming to dismantle an impression of empathy with the electorate. Attempts to undermine the manipulator in this case may lead to accusations of sour grapes and dirty tricks by the manipulator. ## 29.5. Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species *See Child Pages:* - [[Astro Turfing]] - [[Chameleon Effect]] - [[The Common Good]] - [[Control/Control via Language Manipulation/"We, The People" Fallacy/False Consensus Effect]] - [[Control/Control via Language Manipulation/"We, The People" Fallacy/Puppets]] ## 29.6. Avoidance and Counteraction As with other forms of manipulation, it is important to maintain a healthy suspicion of those who are seeking us out as "friends". Generally, no politician looks for friends or allies unless they have something to gain. Beware anyone claiming to be a "man of the people", it is something that shouldn't need to be said if the person genuinely is one of the "common folk".