The Art Of “Political Sailing”

Or the difference between a leader, a politician and a populist

By Ron Raskin

We often use the terms leader, politician, and populist, but what sets them apart?

There are many definitions and perspectives on what distinguishes them. For example, consider the article “Are You A Politician Or A Leader?” Additionally, there are various definitions of “populism,” as summarized on Wikipedia, where I use “populist” synonymously with “demagogue.”

While these definitions are accurate, they are often subjective and typically reflect sentiments toward specific politicians rather than precise, measurable criteria. Is it possible to create such a definition? Below, I’ll attempt to offer a definition that can be measured and evaluated (at least theoretically). But first, let’s discuss the problem of a sailboat…

For a sailboat to sail effectively, it must harness the wind correctly. When the wind is behind it, everything is fine, and the sailboat can head straight toward its destination. But what happens when the destination is in the opposite direction of the wind?

“As we have seen above, sailing upwind means sailing towards the general wind direction but not directly into the wind; the sails would flutter and the boat would stop. Instead, sailors use a zigzag motion with moving the bow of the boat, left and right, through the wind in order to make headway”.

“Sailing” in political waters is no different; a zigzag approach is often used to reach the goal.

Now that we have a basic understanding of the principles of political “sailing,” we can attempt to define what distinguishes leaders, politicians, and populists.

A leader is someone who sails towards a predetermined goal as efficiently as possible. This doesn’t mean they won’t zigzag, but such deviations are necessary steps to achieve something the leader genuinely believes in.

A politician is someone who sails towards a predefined goal but prioritize the boat’s speed over the distance to the goal, often resulting in larger zigzags. While their goals may shift over time based on where the wind is “stronger” and the boat’s speed is higher, their goals remain relatively stable. This approach reflects a focus on self-interest rather than unwavering commitment to the goal.

A populist, similar to a politician, aims to optimize the boat’s speed but either lacks a clear goal or only discloses their goal after gaining enough power to change direction swiftly. They primarily sail with the wind at their back until they reach the required boat speed or electoral power to reveal their goal, if they have one.

Hopefully, this will help us all make more informed decisions when voting…