Commentary
In constitutional democracies, where political life is supposed to be governed by persuasion rather than coercion, the accurate use of language is not just an academic exercise—it’s a civic obligation. Unfounded rhetorical branding corrodes the quality of democratic discourse.
Mainstream political pundits now rely on a form of labeling that functions less as an analytical tool and more as a partisan weapon. Few terms illustrate this more clearly than “far-right” or “fascist.” Once reasonably precise categories within political science, they have increasingly become common pejoratives. Their primary function is not to clarify positions but to shut down debate….
Political Branding Corrodes the Quality of Democratic Discourse
