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When Demagogic Populism Swings Left
During the Great Depression, a Trumpian figure established unprecedented political control in Louisiana and attracted criticism for his autocratic methods—while pursuing a radical progressive agenda.

But while Trump ran on a reactionary brand of populism, blending anti-establishment rhetoric and promises to restore prosperity and order with appeals to racist and nativist anxiety, Long pursued a progressive agenda and steered clear of the race-baiting common in Southern politics at the time. In this sense, Long is an interesting foil for Trump, who registered as a Democrat at several points in his life and expressed support for some typically Democratic policies even as he turned to the right. Though he died before he could run for president, much less take office, Long’s brief political career provides a mirrored vision of Trump’s demagogic populism—a glimpse of what could happen if a left-wing politician channeled a similar message and disregard for political mores...........

Much of the appeal of that kind of populism cuts across eras and party lines. Mark Brewer, a professor of political science at the University of Maine, identifies several factors that have led American populism to gain traction in certain moments, regardless of political affiliations: perceived conflict between “elites” and “common people”; a sense of economic unfairness; distrust of centralized authority, particularly the federal government; and a desire to “maintain a previously existing arrangement that’s under threat and, in a lot of cases, probably gone already.”

Huey Long pledged to do just that throughout his contentious political career, and often delivered. While Trump has most aggressively leveraged his executive powers to manifest the anti-immigration plank in his populist platform, introducing a “Muslim ban,” radicalizing ICE, and, most recently, declaring a national emergency in order to fund a border wall, Long used his authority to establish public works programs for the poor. In his four-year tenure as the governor of Louisiana, Long built an extensive network of highways and bridges through the isolated rural areas of the state, expanded lower-class access to health care and education, and implemented strict new regulations in the state banking industry that improved consumer protections.

kalm wrote:Lots to unpack here...a very interesting read.

1) It's another reminder of the cyclical nature of society and politics

2) How far does rule breaking have to go before it becomes dangerous.

3) One man's ruthless greed or thirst for power is another man's shrewd business and/or political acumen (this is a long standing undertone of most of our discussions here).

4) Is there much difference between Trump and Long style authoritarianism?

When Demagogic Populism Swings Left
During the Great Depression, a Trumpian figure established unprecedented political control in Louisiana and attracted criticism for his autocratic methods—while pursuing a radical progressive agenda.

But while Trump ran on a reactionary brand of populism, blending anti-establishment rhetoric and promises to restore prosperity and order with appeals to racist and nativist anxiety, Long pursued a progressive agenda and steered clear of the race-baiting common in Southern politics at the time. In this sense, Long is an interesting foil for Trump, who registered as a Democrat at several points in his life and expressed support for some typically Democratic policies even as he turned to the right. Though he died before he could run for president, much less take office, Long’s brief political career provides a mirrored vision of Trump’s demagogic populism—a glimpse of what could happen if a left-wing politician channeled a similar message and disregard for political mores...........

Much of the appeal of that kind of populism cuts across eras and party lines. Mark Brewer, a professor of political science at the University of Maine, identifies several factors that have led American populism to gain traction in certain moments, regardless of political affiliations: perceived conflict between “elites” and “common people”; a sense of economic unfairness; distrust of centralized authority, particularly the federal government; and a desire to “maintain a previously existing arrangement that’s under threat and, in a lot of cases, probably gone already.”

Huey Long pledged to do just that throughout his contentious political career, and often delivered. While Trump has most aggressively leveraged his executive powers to manifest the anti-immigration plank in his populist platform, introducing a “Muslim ban,” radicalizing ICE, and, most recently, declaring a national emergency in order to fund a border wall, Long used his authority to establish public works programs for the poor. In his four-year tenure as the governor of Louisiana, Long built an extensive network of highways and bridges through the isolated rural areas of the state, expanded lower-class access to health care and education, and implemented strict new regulations in the state banking industry that improved consumer protections.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/ar ... -j4eEdLkXY

CID1990 wrote:

kalm wrote:Lots to unpack here...a very interesting read.

1) It's another reminder of the cyclical nature of society and politics

2) How far does rule breaking have to go before it becomes dangerous.

3) One man's ruthless greed or thirst for power is another man's shrewd business and/or political acumen (this is a long standing undertone of most of our discussions here).

4) Is there much difference between Trump and Long style authoritarianism?



https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/ar ... -j4eEdLkXY

I already posted this in the doesn’t deserve its own thread thread

CID1990 wrote:

kalm wrote:Lots to unpack here...a very interesting read.

1) It's another reminder of the cyclical nature of society and politics

2) How far does rule breaking have to go before it becomes dangerous.

3) One man's ruthless greed or thirst for power is another man's shrewd business and/or political acumen (this is a long standing undertone of most of our discussions here).

4) Is there much difference between Trump and Long style authoritarianism?



https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/ar ... -j4eEdLkXY

I already posted this in the doesn’t deserve its own thread thread

Pwns wrote:MJ, did you just look at who the OP was and assume it was a "Trump bad, liberals reasonable" article?

mainejeff wrote:

CID1990 wrote:
I already posted this in the doesn’t deserve its own thread thread

In other words....it's buried somewhere so people won't discuss it.