Visionary leadership in politics is all too rare
Robert Rotberg is the founding director of the Harvard Kennedy School’s program on intrastate conflict and the author ofHonest, forthright, visionary leadership is essential in human and political affairs, especially in these unusually troubled times. Trust in leadership translates into legitimacy, which in turn generates broad support for public policy initiatives that may irritate sections of an electorate.
Mr. Mandela could not have enlisted his disparate and long-suffering peoples behind such a vision if he had not emerged from prison possessing unparalleled rational legitimacy and a deserved reputation for principled integrity. He could be forthright and decisive because his honest intent and wisdom was well-tested and believable. He exuded an uncommon affect, effectively preached and enacted inclusive behaviour, and – most of all – gave all South Africans a newly enlarged sense of self-worth.
Mr. Zelensky’s greatest triumph, at least so far, has been his lifting Western chins up high. When Westerners saw an easyvictory, Mr. Zelensky knew successful resistance. When they sought a cheap peace, Mr. Zelensky glimpsed total victory, or at least pushing the Russians back from central and southern Ukraine as far as feasible. Without Mr. Zelensky’s integrity and poise Mr. Putin would have waltzed into Kyiv despite the demonstrated ineptness of Russia’s forces.
Too frequently, heads of state and heads of government prevaricate, obfuscate and outright lie. The philosopher Diogenes searched for a proverbial honest man in fourth century BC Athens. In too many contemporary capital cities, Diogenes would find few exemplary leaders. Certainly, he would be hard pressed to locate honesty in the Kremlin, where Mr. Putin’s lies – about the invasion, about his motives, about results to date, and about the nature of Ukraine and Ukrainians – are endless.
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