Rulers versus Leaders: Who is Best to Govern Us at This Time?

Reverend Dr Martin Luther King

Professor Joe Goldblatt

During times of great civil turmoil, throughout human history, human beings have sought political candidates who they believe may bring strength, stability, and a crystal clear vision to to help society move from uncertaintity to a new period of calm and order.

We have recently seen evidence of this with the defeat of the Conservative party and the election of a Labour Prime Minister in the United Kingdom. Prior to this, in the United States, we have seen historic evidence with the election of Ronald Reagan to replace Jimmy Carter. Carter was perceived as not being a strong leader due to American hostages being held in Iran and the charismatic and experienced former California Governor Reagan was waiting in the wings to replace him. As a former actor and experienced Governor, he easily became President Reagan and almost immediately the people of the USA began to cheer their new leader.

So, who is best to govern during times of civic turmoil? Should these challenging times open the democratic door to a strong, heavy handed ruler or a charismatic and experienced leader who is both a charismatic and experienced leader to cultivate calm, restore order, and restore trust in their government.

The qualities that are required from this person are not unknown or unrecognizeable to the majority of citizens. Over hundreds of years, America has identified and strongly experienced supported men such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and in recent years Barack Obama, largely because they exhibit the qualities of experienced and trusted leadership over those of a heavy handed ruler.

Now, in my view, is the time for such a leader to emerge and receive the support of citizens because they respect democratic ideals and strongly recognise that the qualities of wise judgement from experienced leadership, communication skills, and the ability to earn the trust of the electorate. These skills are paramount to an individual who merely exhibits a strong arm in place of poor experience and a weak moral character.

When considering future candidates I have lately been asking myself one question. If there was to be another major cirisis such as a global pandemic, who do I want to lead us from strength to strength? That single question helps me focus upon on the type of individual who I want to lead my country because their decisions may positively impact not only my future but the future of my grandchildren and many future generations to come.

Therefore, as the United States struggles with this latest civic turmoil, I firmly hope the noble American experiment shall once again demonstrate its resilience over dictator style government leaders. As an American watching from a distance as my fellow US citizens struggle between the choices of a future ruler or a potential leader, I am confident and have faith that my fellow Americans will exhibit the wise judgement that insures the American experiment will continue to achieve an even greater and more successful outcome.

Amother charismatic leader once stated that the arc of the moral universe is long and always points toward justice. This leader when speaking to one individual or thousands of people from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial also said that he had a dream that his children would one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. The speaker was of course Reverend Dr Martin Luther King who was never elected to high office, however, his successful leadership in civil rights proved to me that the American experiment holds great promise during this turbulent time and for a long time to come.

Professor Joe Goldblatt is Emeritus Professor of Planned Events at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland. His views are his own. For more information about his views visit www.joegoldblatt.scot