Who was Huey Long?
What is an authoritarian?
What is a political machine?
Historians view Huey Long as an authoritarian for several reasons, largely based on his political practices, personal style of leadership, and the way he sought to consolidate power during his time as governor of Louisiana and U.S. senator. Here are some key factors contributing to this view:
Huey Long was known for centralizing power within his own hands. As governor of Louisiana, he bypassed traditional legislative processes to push his agenda. He had significant control over the state's bureaucracy, using patronage to ensure loyalty, and effectively built a political machine around himself. He also established control over the state legislature, using intimidation and pressure to get his way, often sidelining or eliminating opposition.
2. Authoritarian Leadership Style
Long's leadership style was often described as dictatorial. He ruled with an iron fist, and he was not shy about using strong-arm tactics to maintain control. He was known for his fiery speeches, and his populist rhetoric was often combined with aggressive political maneuvers that stifled dissent. His personal ambition was clear, and he created a personality cult around himself, making it clear that he believed in his own vision and authority above all.
3. Suppression of Opposition
Long was also notorious for suppressing political opponents and using state resources to quash dissent. He controlled the media, including the state's newspapers, and was known for using his influence to intimidate or silence critics. He had a reputation for employing a range of tactics to undermine opposition, from personal attacks to outright political persecution.
4. Use of Patronage and Corruption
Long used patronage extensively to consolidate his power. He rewarded loyal supporters with government jobs, making it difficult for opposition to build any significant power base. While patronage is common in politics, Long’s extreme reliance on it, and the accompanying corruption and cronyism, raised concerns about the integrity of the political system under his rule.
5. Populist Agenda with Authoritarian Tendencies
While Long's policies, such as his "Share Our Wealth" program, were designed to redistribute wealth and provide social welfare to the poor, they were also aimed at consolidating his political power. His populism was coupled with a willingness to take extreme actions to ensure his agenda was implemented, sometimes bypassing democratic institutions and processes. His idea of "Share Our Wealth" essentially called for wealth redistribution through taxation and wealth caps, which appealed to the masses but also led to concerns about his concentration of power.
6. Personal Cult of Personality
Long worked hard to cultivate a personal cult of personality. His supporters revered him almost as a messianic figure who could save the poor, and he skillfully played to their hopes and frustrations. His identification with the state's political system was so strong that it seemed difficult to separate the state from Long himself. This personalization of power is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes, where the leader becomes synonymous with the state.
7. Authoritarian Ambitions at the National Level
Long's ambition extended beyond Louisiana. He was preparing to run for president and had aspirations of becoming a national political force. He created the Share Our Wealth Society as a movement to challenge the political establishment, and many of his critics viewed his national ambitions as a move toward creating a more centralized and autocratic rule.
Historians point to these aspects of his leadership as evidence of authoritarian tendencies, even though he was a populist and championed the rights of the poor. Long's style of leadership, his use of power, and his disregard for democratic norms and opposition made him a figure often characterized by historians as authoritarian.
