The author critiques the common political adage 'Never wrestle with a pig; you both get dirty, and the pig likes it,' arguing that it is an excuse for cowardice and intellectual laziness. By dehumanizing political opponents as 'pigs,' democrats mirror the very tactics they condemn in populists and extremists. The author contends that refusing to debate these figures in the media is a failure of duty, and that democrats must instead put in the hard work of preparing arguments to counter manipulation and falsehoods, rather than attacking those who attempt to engage in such debates.
Should you not wrestle with a pig?
Friday, 24 April 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
Populism is a political style that frames politics as a struggle between 'the people' and a corrupt elite, often using simple messaging, charismatic leaders and direct appeals to public sentiment; it can appear on both the left and right. It matters for expats because populist rhetoric or governments can drive quick policy shifts on immigration, taxation and business regulation, so monitoring election campaigns and major reforms helps anticipate changes that could affect residency, work or services.
