Negative political sentiments

The problem with democratic politics is that people can organize around negative sentiments just as easily (and often more easily) as they can around positive sentiments. Interests can be negative and full of anger, hatred and resentment just as they can be positive and full of ambition, drive and determination. Absent the institutional guidance of a well functioning social order the negative interests and the parties that represent them have an easier time of it in the public arena than do the positive interests and their parties. 

The deeper point of politics is not ideology but flavor. Left vs right is less important than positive vs negative. 

The negative political mood is the one that craves leadership and inevitably turns to strongman rule.