This paper argues for the adoption of reputation as a conceptual prism to discern patterns in political leadership behaviour. The author intends to reach a judgement about the concept's value for our understanding of leadership by offering a fuller appreciation of reputation itself that is grounded in a recognition of its role in managing followers and entrenching power structures, which makes it critical both to the incumbent leader and challengers. Methodologically, for this analysis both theoretical and descriptive material has been selected and discussed in order to fully appreciate reputation's applicability in leadership research.In light of the evidence reviewed one may infer that what renders a leader decisive or passive is essentially a reflection of reputational strength or weakness. In turn this leads us to conclude that concern with reputation engenders and shapes activity we observe in leaders and at the same time guides our interpretation of political decisions and phenomena. Eventually, we may come to see reputation as a concept that serves as a lens through which we view leaders' responses to challenges. The rationale for this approach is leaders' own focus on their respective reputation that may at times incentivise action or, alternatively, administrative and political immobility.
This paper investigates levels of rigidity and flexibility in Angela
Merkel’s decision making during her first three governments from 2005 to
2017. The study is a contribution to understanding German politics in the era
of Merkel who has regularly been criticized for allegedly lacking a transformative
agenda and ideological consistency. Methodologically this study draws
on Jonathan Keller’s framework that differentiates between internally and
externally validated leaders, with the latter seeking to appease and curry favor
with stakeholders and the former committed to their personal believes. The
study assesses Merkel’s decisions on fiscal and economic policies, zooms in on
her u-turn on nuclear energy, touches upon her dithering during the Euro crisis
and discusses at some length her protracted coming to terms with the
refugee crisis. Findings suggest her flexibility to be predominantly a reflection
of political expediencies and intended to preserve her party’s political compatibility
with potentially supportive stakeholders. Her approach thus is in line
with the agenda to manage coalition governments successfully, moderate and
conciliate divergent interests and thus secure their position in power.
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