Philosophy, Leadership, and Scholarship: Confucian Contributions to a Leadership Debate

By Adrianna Kezar, University of Southern California

This article describes the tension between essentialist and non-essentialist theories of leadership. Is leadership defined by core traits and behaviors that may be seen as universal, or by subjectivity, context, and culture? This article traces the dichotomy in western thought and posits some assumptions of Confucian philosophy that might be applied to the study and practice of leadership.

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p. 110

Personalistic Political Leadership in Castro's Cuba

By Erin Bream, Claremont McKenna College, '05

Charismatic political leaders who are motivated by personalized power are common to developing nations—in this case, Cuba. Cuba's political administration is characterized by a single charismatic officer—Dictator Fidel Castro—with a strong personal following.

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p. 132

Autocratic leadership in social dilemmas: A threat to group stability

Original publication by Mark Van Vugt, Sarah F. Jepson, Claire M. Hart and David De Cremer
In Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

Synopsis by Emily McLeod, Claremont McKenna College '04

If you were one of a group of investors with the freedom to leave or stay in the group, would the leadership style make a difference? Experiments with autocratic, laissez-faire, and democratic leadership styles show which style might send you to the nearest exit.

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p. 138

Efficacy: Political

Original Publication by J.L Sullivan and E. Riedel
In International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences

Synopsis by Tiffany Williams, Claremont McKenna College '05

Sullivan and Reidel discuss citizens' feelings of efficacy in the political realm. Do citizens feel they can affect the system? Do citizens feel the system is responsive to their needs?

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p. 141