Robert Reich on Threads:

[Hortensis]

6. Scholars say it was a huge concern and the term itself, as

well as other references, turns up many, many times in records and correspondence before, during and after they signed our constitution in to being. They had reason to be afraid -- history already provided them many examples of the very dangerous weakness in government by the people: people.

Of course, the main identity claimed by demagogues whose path to power is by subversion is that they are of and represent the true will of the people.

"A democracy if you can keep it." First public words out of Franklin's mouth on asked what form of government they'd signed into being.