Who's the Boss?: Leadership and Democratic Values in America (European Contributions to American Studies)

In answering questions such as Is the present popularity of leadership studies an echo of the status of the U.S. as the leader of the free world, or is it hype created by smart entrepreneurs?, Have current leadership concepts emerged from the democratic environment in America or do they reflect a globalist and timeless approach?, and How do leadership studies reflect national values, such as individualism, competition, and success, that are commonly associated with American culture?, this collection of essays critically examines the terminology and the explanatory power of various leadership concepts. Examples from military academies, state politics, marginal groups, and African American politicians dampen high expectations for new visionary political leadership in the United States and demonstrate how promises from “good” leadership to protect democratic processes against political and commercial exploitation are often too optimistic.