There was a more cohesive society in large part than there was today. You had the natural safety nets of family and community which only later were replaced by the government.
FDR held power for so long due to the War and also because people wanted the strong leader type. In that way we weren't all that different from the Germans and the Italians at that time.
I suggest you take a look through a history book with pictures of ‘Hoovervilles’. Read up on the bonus march and dust bowl. My Mother was sent to the orphanage for a couple of years when her parents could no longer provide for her and her sister... My Dad’s Father left the family in 1933 and my Dad saw him twice in his entire life. This is what Hoover thought...the greater society would take care of each others...family, charity etc...It did not work and millions out and out starved...Most people view the depression as a Walton rerun...it wasn’t.
Why do you suppose Roosevelt was elected four times...I have read all the books and looked at the legislation enacted by both Roosevelt and Hoover...Hoover believed in helping corporations, banks etc...he believed the markets would correct, but they didn’t.