Global Security and Intelligence Studies Volume 3, Number 1, Spring/Summer 2018 | Page 22

A Psychological and Political Analysis of a Twentieth Century “Doctator”
not only further solidified Duvalier’s trust within the Haitian peasantry, but also
was interwoven and integrated as the cornerstone of his government.
François Duvalier: Political Engagement and Positioning
In 1946, a Labor Party known as the Mouvement Ouvrier Paysan (Peasant
Worker Movement, abbreviated as MOP), emerged on the Haitian political
scene. The MOP was formed by students of Daniel Fignolé, a charismatic leader
of the urban working class. Fignolé’s views mirrored that of many noirist intellectuals
including Duvalier and Denis. In 1945, the two began their work on The
Problem of Classes Throughout Haiti’s History. Officially published in the 1950s, it
initially appeared in the Chantiers newspaper “and was dedicated to ‘the popular
leader Daniel Fignolé, symbol of the aspirations and traditions of all classes of
men’” (Smith 2009, 66). This became the first treatise that Duvalier would publish
where his political perspectives were revealed (Abbott 1988).
The original intent of the MOP was to support Fignolé’s bid for the presidency;
however, he was not yet old enough at that time. As a result, leaders within
the MOP sought another suitable candidate, deciding Duvalier would be a good
fit, especially given his noirist politics. Duvalier had no prior political experience
and, at the time, was thought to have little interest in such pursuits (Abbott 1988).
Leery of becoming Fignolé’s puppet, Duvalier instead accepted a position as the
organization’s secretary-general. This is a key turning point in his relationship with
Fignolé as Duvalier was pitted against him as a potential rival.
Following the overthrow of President Elie Lescot in 1946, Duvalier’s former
teacher and mentor, Dumarsais Estimé became President of Haiti. In October
1947, Fignolé attempted to organize a strike to protest Estimé’s new law that prohibited
strikes by organized labor groups. Estimé’s policies proved more popular
than initially thought, especially among MOP members and, specifically, Duvalier.
The event caused a dispute between Duvalier and Fignolé and resulted in Duvalier
permanently leaving the MOP (Abbott 1988). As a former student of Estimé,
Duvalier “was appointed Director of Public Health, thereafter Under-Minister of
Labor (1948), and finally a member of the Cabinet, as Minister of Public Health
and Labor” in 1949 (Johnson 2006, 10). During this time, Duvalier did not promote
any particular position and “he aroused few enmities and made few strong
impressions on anyone,” continuing his preferred position of remaining in the political
shadows (Diederich and Burt 1969, 55).
Under Estimé’s leadership, Duvalier found himself content and aligned
himself closely with the Haitian president. However, as with other presidents that
came before him, Estimé was challenged by the Army, and in 1950, Estimé was
overthrown by a military coup. This presidential unseating would have a lasting
effect on Duvalier; it taught him that the military strongly influenced a president’s
21