The Institutional Basis of Political Leadership

Abstract

In the opening chapter, political leadership was identified as a process of interaction between leaders and the leadership environment with which they are faced. It was demonstrated that the nature of this interaction determines the ways in which and the extent to which heads of state and heads of government are able to affect the outcome of the decision-making process in a country. It was also demonstrated that there are many different elements to the interaction process. These elements were analysed under three separate headings: the ambitions and styles of political leaders; institutional structures; and the needs of the society. (To recap on the various elements under these headings, see Exhibit 8.1.)