PR5956 Political Leaders and Democratic Politics introduces students to political leaders in democratic politics. It explores ideas about power and leadership capital, as well as leadership in both government and opposition. It examines the processes by which parties choose their leaders and the links between leaders and voters, including the importance of leadership effects and the particular value (or otherwise) of televised leadership debates. The module concludes by asking: ‘what makes a good leader?’

The course is organised as follows:
Seminar 1: Introductions: leaders in democratic politics
Seminar 2: Power, predominance and leadership capital
Seminar 3: Leading in government: the case of the British PM
Seminar 4: Leading in government: the case of the US president
Seminar 5: Leading in opposition: the case of Britain
Seminar 6: Choosing party leaders
Seminar 7: Gender and political leadership
Seminar 8: Leaders, the media and televised debates
Seminar 9: Elections, voters and leadership effects
Seminar 10: What makes a good leader?