sadopopulism

Snyder proposes a concept called "sadopopulism," which refers to politicians who purposefully govern in a way that makes life worse for the bulk their supporters.

Opinion | The brutal political incentive that pushed Republicans to reject Covid relief Teri Kanefield, attorney and author 2021

“Sadopopulism” is the notion that you’re doing half of populism. You promise people things, but then when you get power you have no intention of even trying to implement any policy on behalf of the people. Instead, you deliberately make the suffering worse for your critical constituency.

Historian Timothy Snyder on Trump's war on democracy: He is deliberately "hurting white people" - Salon.com Chauncey DeVega 2018