Political Leadership in Liberal Democracies (Comparative Government and Politics, 20)

[A] compelling case for the institutional analysis of political leadership ... you must buy and read this book.' - R.A.W. Rhodes, Public Administration. '[A] valuable contribution not only to the study of political leadership, but also to the study of comparative politics.' - Valerie Mort, Talking Politics. Concentrating on the period since 1945, Political Leadership in Liberal Democracies examines the resources of and constraints on political leaders in contemporary political systems. The book compares six countries to assess the effectiveness of political leadership and its relationship to the nature of institutional structures and political environments. The author argues that while the leadership environment has become more constraining and difficult in recent years, the potential for effective leadership in liberal democracies has not been extinguished. This internationally comparative introduction to the study of political leadership looks at the role played by Presidents and Prime Ministers in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States and their scope for action: Can they shape the decision-making process, or is it shaped for them? Can they exercise leadership individually, or is leadership collective? Can they innovate, or do they react? Concentrating on the period since 1945, Political Leadership in Liberal Democracies will appeal both to students of comparative politics and the core executive, as well as to a wider audience interested in the role of the world's most important democratic political leaders. Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Leaders, Leadership and the Leadership Environment....Pages 1-24 Britain: Prime Ministerial Leadership....Pages 25-50 France: Presidential Leadership....Pages 51-77 Germany: Dispersed Leadership....Pages 78-105 The United States: Divided Leadership....Pages 106-134 Japan: Reactive Leadership....Pages 135-161 Italy: Acephalous Leadership....Pages 162-190 The Institutional Basis of Political Leadership....Pages 191-210 Back Matter....Pages 211-231 This text examines the resources of and constraints on political leaders in contemporary political systems since 1945. It compares six countries to assess the effectiveness of political leadership and its relationship to the nature of institutional structures and political environments. Robert Elgie. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 211-222) And Index.