Who's the leader? The image and functions of the political leader

No one social group is not without inner structuring and differentiation, in which managers are allocated and managed at different levels. The theme of our article touches on the highest level of the social pyramid. We talk about who the leader is and what are its functions.

The Phenomenon of leadership

Every existing person on earth is already participating in a race called life. Is it running ahead, there are outsiders. Nevertheless, the majority wishes to be in the lead, seeing it as a sign of success of his life. Who is the leader in wide and narrow sense of the word? The term translated to English literally means "going forward", "leading". In General, this person or group of people who lead other members of the society. Psychologists have found that none of the social community cannot long exist without stood the leading elite, which authority is recognized by all and will be ready to obey. This phenomenon is typical not only for human kind but also for many representatives of the animal world. Thus, we can assume that leadership is a phenomenon of the biological world.

The Idea of leadership development

Although most historical events were made by many people in the annals of history are inscribed the names mostly of those who were generators of ideas and inspirations of those or other beginnings. Niccolo Machiavelli for the first time paid so much attention to the question of who the leader is and what qualities he should possess. In his work "the Prince" he admires the heads of medieval Europe who were able to achieve their goal, regardless of methods and techniques. Some of the Superman seen in the present political leader Friedrich Nietzsche. Is the one who is above conventional morality, able to transcend all the way through to the target. Modern political science examines the leader primarily as a personal example, inspire all in the General case. So, during world war II son of Joseph Stalin was taken prisoner. The German command offered to exchange this prisoner of war on Paulus surrendered at Stalingrad. Stalin, being a true leader, did not go on this exchange, noting that the soldiers on the field does not change. It was a difficult decision, which condemned to death the son, but it took not so much a father, as head of a large country.

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Types of leadership

In the broadest sense to allocate formal and informal leaders. The first Primate have official status, while the second, even without it, are the great authority for the group, rather than a formal leader. There are the following types of leadership:

• Traditional - according to the origin, tradition;
• Charismatic - based on the individual qualities of the personality and its accomplishments, the superior dignity of ordinary people;
• Democratic - on the basis of the existing law.

A modern political leader can build their relationship with society based on democratic, totalitarian or authoritarian management principles.

Qualities of a true leader

The Head is not only a privilege of high social status, but also responsibility for those who follow him. Therefore, not everyone is able to perform the functions of a political leader. The population there is a certain image of the leader. Leadership qualities to include responsibility, commitment, ability to inspire, to think prognostically, administrative skills, strong character and charisma. Yes, in our age of pragmatism the image of the political leader can do without this primitive component, which acts on people as if reluctantly, on a subconscious level. We can say that it sometimes outweighs all other merits of the candidate.

Creating an image

In the political struggle for supremacy involves not only one person but his whole team is a circle of closest confidants, who supports and creates the image of a political leader. This process is quite important, despite the General belief that a good man, and so people make out. Unfortunately, society is short-sighted, he needs to show that one or another figure worthy of their trust and be able to justify it. Besides, true leaders are not so much. Given the prevailing social understanding of what should be the head, the image-makers create a particular political entity. This includes creating the look, grinding speech, ability to behave, diction, theatre arts and more. Thus, the image of the political leader can just be a dud and a fake, and can beautifully emphasize the dignity of the individual, making it more attractive figure for voters.

Simulator and populist

There are political leaders who actually are leaders, leaders of certain segments of society or all the people, and there are those who merely pretends to be fraudulent. The latter are called simulators, or populists. How can we distinguish, especially in the heat of the election campaign, who is a leader? The simulator is based on the derivativesthe result, on the immediate benefits. This lulder quickly and willingly makes promises, though all at once, rather than seriously weighing the situation and offers the best development path. Populist is more important for external than internal content. He frequently uses incorrect methods of conducting our political debates, unhealthy criticism of opponents, up to slander. Specific, serious proposals to do about it.

Unfortunately, such figures often receive the support of the electorate, who carried on the promise to resolve things quickly and immediately. However, this practice leads to an increase of mistrust among the population towards the institutions of democracy.

Political leadership

The Function of a political leader is very diverse and important. First, it unites a society or part of the around common ideas and goals. Second, it acts as a generator of strategic goals of development of society and puts forward suggestions for ways of achieving them. Third, mobilizing the population for activities in a given direction. Fourth, the link between power structures and society, and supports harmony in the state.

It Should be noted that public expectations of the leader must acquit. If he does not, and cannot explain why, soon he faces not just disbelief, but also a negative attitude on the part of the electorate. Remember joyful jackals: "Akela has missed"?

Political capital

One of the most important qualitative characteristics of the public leader is its political capital. It means achievements in the public sphere, which include the status, position, accepted the popular decision, reasonable predictions, in short, all that can prove his professional and business abilities. This capital accumulates for a very long time, but restartitis can in a very short period of time due to incorrectly chosen tactics or erroneous decision. Such figures are called a political corpse. So, many leaders of political parties that originated in the 90-ies and is very popular at the time, at the moment, have no political weight or popularity. They, despite all attempts to break into the state Duma, lose elections election. So every politician should be aware of the responsibility and consequences of any of their promises and solutions.

The Path to leadership

Many who read this article, the question may arise: "How to be a leader?" In this respect, it is appropriate to paraphrase the famous aphorism leaders are not leaders are born. Why so radically? Most researchers of this topic state that the innate qualities play a very important role in the development of those characteristics that are required to perform the role of Manager leading a social group.

First, the future leader is an active social position and a high degree of sociability. Secondly, it is very useful experience social activities in various organizations, public activities of different levels. Of course, it is impossible to go anywhere and from education. In Western countries there are special schools which leave future public figures and state officials. In conclusion, it should be noted that any Manager as a leader in the first place seriously and a lot of work, but also imposes a huge responsibility over his subordinates.