Democratic vs. Authoritarian Leadership



Abstract

The aim of this study is to present a review on research and theories on Leadership and Motivation, with special reference to Democratic and Authoritarian Leadership, bringing different aspects to understand the dynamics of the processes driving and motivation in organizations.

The latest contributions to Democratic and Authoritarian Leadership comes from Hofstede's cross-cultural psychology and globalized organizations, psychology of personality styles for reinterpretation of charismatic leadership in social purpose, and the concept of leadership for change-oriented organizations.

Keywords: democratic, authoritarian, leadership

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Research Proposition4

Literature Review5

Method7

Overview of Design7

Independent Variable8

Dependent Variables8

Discussion8

Analysis and Anticipated Results8

Limitations and directions for future research and conclusions9

References10

Democratic vs. Authoritarian Leadership

Leadership is a natural concomitant of human behavior. Among other natural needs, such as biological, economic, reproductive, need of a sense of security or living in a group; there is a dire need to maintain dominance over other group members. This approach applies to categories of leadership as something natural, which is universal in nature. At the opposite extreme are theories that leadership is a quality which man can get only in certain conditions. In the context of Political Science, leadership is a characteristic of culture, resulting with social interaction. Thus leadership is defined as the ability to acquire subordination of the individuals, groups and organizations and to direct their behavior. Therefore, it exerts a profound influence on the cultural and societal life.

Research Proposition

This endeavor and study will first and foremost be a descriptive, as well as an exploratory study. The primary focus of the study will revolve around the debate of democratic and authoritarian leadership in political science.

Considering the past empirical and conceptual base, we put forth the following research question:

To what extent is democratic or authoritarian leadership style effective in political science?

The research proposal aims to formulate methods of discussing democratic and authoritarian leadership styles in an organization and a society. It intends establishing and establishing the effectiveness of either democratic or authoritarian leadership style (Robinson 2002). This study helps us to recommend the best methods for implementing leadership style in an organization.

Literature Review

The starting point of empirical research on leadership is in the dichotomy between authoritarian leadership and democratic leadership which was inaugurated by Lewin and Lippitt in 1938. Since the first studies from Misumi in 1985, leaders can have behaviors of both style and be perceived as authoritarian or democratic throughout their task is to organize to get things done (Eden 1983). Misumi groups all previous research criteria for both styles in two leadership roles, that of Performance: execution or implementation and Maintenance stability-oriented and social integration of the group.

In Authoritarian leadership style, the supervisor passes on instructions, tasks and arrangements without involving his subordinates in the decision. The leader expects unquestioning obedience and entertains no opposition or criticism from subordinates. Mistakes are punished, instead of helping. The advantage of the authoritarian style of leadership is the relatively high speed of decision, clarity of powers and good control. In addition, such a management style has also, at least in the short term, an improving ...