In Defense of the Demagogue
Examining the Positive Affects of Demagoguery
By Ben Blum, 10th grader at the Marin School of Enviornmental Leadership
Adolf Hitler. Joseph McCarthy. Benito Mussolini. What do these infamous leaders have in common? Each was a demagogue: a leader who takes advantage of the biases of the people for political benefit. The demagogue is often portrayed as the greatest threat to a thriving democracy, but it could also be utilized as a vehicle of change to bring positive reforms to a struggling society.
Throughout the past 200 years, the definition of the demagogue has shifted, moving with it society’s common perception. Today, demagogues are often associated with a politician or leader who is viewed negatively. The current edition of the Oxford US English Dictionary defines a demagogue as, “a political leader who tries to win support by using arguments based on emotion rather than reason”. This definition has a clearly negative connotation, and is often used incorrectly by society as a mere insult to describe politicians who do not agree with their personal viewpoint. However, a demagogue can lead to positive outcomes in society; the demagogue can actually break rules that are unjust to create a fairer nation. In Europe during the Industrial Revolution, the term “demagogue” was a neutral or even positive term — the original Oxford English Dictionary defines a demagogue as, “… a leader of the people; a popular leader or orator who espoused the cause of the people against any other party in the state”. This term is more positive: why wouldn’t citizens want a leader who consistently pushes for legislation to improve the livelihoods of his constituents?
Nelson Mandela was a positive demagogue who transformed his country into a fair and more equal society and helped to spread global views of social justice. A highly respected public figure, Mandela’s story of political activism began in 1944, when c0-founded the African National Congress’ Youth League. After years of peacefully protesting an end to apartheid in South Africa only to be met with violence from the government, Mandela decided that the only way to combat this blatant act of racial segregation was to respond with force. He left the country for 5 months in 1962 to receive military training, and was promptly arrested upon his return to South Africa. Mandela was charged with sabotage and received a life sentence in jail for his actions. During his trial, he famously stated,
I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
Mandela spent 26 years imprisoned for fighting for equality, for fighting for justice, for fighting for basic human rights. Upon his release, Mandela was elected the first Black President of South Africa in 1994, receiving a strong majority of the vote. His first order of business: officially ending the system of apartheid that plagued South Africa since 1948. By breaking the rules, Mandela changed the world and fashioned himself as a leader of the people. He used this emotional reaction for political benefit when he ran for President, thus characterizing himself as a positive demagogue. Mandela’s lifelong work to create a true democracy in South Africa and bring social equality to his society empowered millions of diverse formerly disenfranchised people to converge together and unify as one.
On the eve of April 25th, 1974, a military coup took to the streets of Portugal and overthrew the government in what is now known as the Carnation Revolution. Toppling the almost 50 year regime of the fascist Estado Novo government, the armed revolt of treasonous military officers had one goal: to create democracy in Portugal. This group, the Armed Forces Movement, was led by the demagogue General António de Spínola and was immensely popular with the Portuguese people. In fact, once the revolution began, thousands of people flooded the streets to display solidarity with the movement and to fuel the fire of the uprising. Hardly any shots were fired, and the junta quickly took power. Spínola was elected President, and his administration quickly reversed many of the harsh restrictions implemented by the previous regime. The New York Times writes,
In its early days, Mr. Spínola’s new Government disbanded the secret police, freed political prisoners, allowed political exiles to return to Portugal, and abolished press censorship. The independence of Guinea-Bissau, as the former Portuguese Guinea was renamed, was recognized by Lisbon in 1974 and that of the remaining African colonies the following year.
Like Nelson Mandela, António de Spínola championed democracy in Portugal and began implementing widespread political reformations to create a more equal society soon after taking office. As a participant in the Carnation Revolution, Spínola and his fellow compatriots broke the rules by committing sabotage against their government. Doing so, he gained popularity with the masses and exploited this reaction with promises of much-needed societal renewal. Finally, Spínola used this reaction for political benefit as he was elected President just days after the revolution ended. These four infractions characterize Spínola as a demagogue, but the advancements he contributed to the Portuguese society far outweigh any negative aspects of his Presidency. Spínola captured the hearts of millions of his fellow citizens as he evolved his nation’s government from a one-party fascist rule to a healthy democracy flourishing with new ideas and a more diverse civic identity.
Huey Long was a prominent American politician from Louisiana during the 1930's, and was an archetypal example of the positive demagogue. He was elected Governor of Louisiana in 1928 in a landslide victory, receiving over 96% of the public vote. Long campaigned on increasing funding for poor schools, building infrastructure to modernize Louisiana and piping natural gas to neighboring states. Known by his nickname “The Kingfish”, Long was a charismatic yet highly controversial figure, as he employed unethical or even illegal means of implementing his public welfare projects. In an effort to impeach Long, conservative state Senators compiled a list of 19 allegations, ranging from “abusive language” to bribery to even reportedly trying to arrange the murder of a political enemy. “I used to get things done by saying please,” Long remarked to a reporter during the impeachment process, “…now I dynamite ’em out of my path”. Long’s confident attitude propelled him forward as he continued to make permanent positive changes to Louisiana’s economy and social welfare system. Eventually, the motion for impeachment was quashed, however, America’s love-hate relationship with Long continued until his death. A proposed epitaph for him read,
He was a crook — but he had no money; a corrupt politician — but the cost of government is third-lowest in the country; a demagogue — but he kept his campaign promises; a hillbilly — but he had no racial prejudices; an ignoramus — but he ran a business administration; a dictator — but he broadened the suffrage; an opportunist — but he had ideals.
Despite breaking the established rules on many occasions, Long was more popular than ever once he was elected a US Senator in 1932. What more could a constituent want than a bold and fearless leader willing to be a proponent of issues that directly improve their living conditions? Alan Brinkley, a historian specializing in 20th century America, wrote, “Long was, whether he realized it or not, helping to fulfill one of the first needs of any developing society; the creation of an infrastructure, the construction of the basic services and facilities without which more complex economic progress would be impossible”. Long truly believed in the greater good of humanity; in fact, his most popular campaign, “Every Man A King”, aimed at equaling the playing field by spreading America’s wealth out to each family. This proposal caused a national and worldwide awakening, with millions tuning in to Long’s weekly radio address. He received over 60,000 pieces a mail a week, more than the current President Franklin D. Roosevelt. However, only three years into his tenure as a Senator, Long was assassinated in September 1935 by the son-in-law of a political enemy. During his career as a politician, Long met all the rules necessary to be a demagogue: he (1) became a leader of the people, (2) triggered an emotional reaction from the people, (3) used this reaction for political benefit, and (4) broke established rules. In spite of breaking the rules, Huey Long remained fully focused on trying to better the lives of people around the nation; he transformed American politics and brought to light issues that had never before been discussed in the chambers of Congress. Long was well ahead of his time, and his infatuation with trying to improve the livelihoods the common American ignited a flame in people’s hearts and minds that continues to burn to this day.
These three leaders, Nelson Mandela, António de Spínola and Huey Long, can all be considered beneficial demagogues. They are united by the common thread of striving to better their society, even at the cost of their own safety. Mandela, Spínola and Long each lived in different places in different times, but shared many qualities: they were great orators and were heroified by the working class. Each received extreme opposition from other politicians that drove them to work harder and more effectively in order to accomplish their specific goals. Finally, they were elected due to their direct appeal to the public’s needs, and were willing to break the rules to create a more fair nation for their constituents.
The demagogue has transcended upon all democracies, and will continue to do so as long as democracy exists. The ambivalence of American citizens historically when brought to conflict has often resulted in a national sense of complacency. A demagogue will take advantage of this atrophy — some for their own benefit, as demonstrated by leaders such as Mussolini and Hitler, but some will use this to advance the livelihood of the common person and will champion the disenfranchised. Founding father Samuel Adams wrote,
Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who … will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man.
As we enter an era where personality often dictates over political ideology and candidates are becoming more partisan and divisive, it is imperative that Americans remember our Founding Father’s principles. In order for our democracy to remain strong and to elect people who uphold the Constitution, Americans cannot be persuaded by politicians that deploy the rhetoric of a negative demagogue, for the perils of past demagogues have taught us all to well what happens when this occurs. Conversely, the qualities of positive demagogues would provide a unique alternative to address the complex public policy issues that our nation is grappling with today, both at home and abroad.