Episode 3: Scapegoating – The Oldest Trick in the Populist Playbook

The Living Past: Current events explained through history. · Apr 21, 2026 · 37m

In this episode we dive deep into the concept of scapegoating—the populist's tool for simplifying complex crises into a single, convenient culprit.

We explain how scapegoating acts as the "glue of false unity," providing a sense of empowerment to a frustrated public by telling them, "You’re not the problem. They are"

This episode serves as a warning about the escalation of blame, noting that once a movement is built on directed rage, it cannot evolve; it can only search for new enemies until "yesterday’s ally becomes today’s traitor.

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