Georgetown Hosts Archie Brown Talk on Myths of Strong Leaders

What’s so great about strong leaders? Political scientist and historian Dr. Archie Brown aimed to dispel myths about the effectiveness of domineering politicians at a public lecture at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q).

Brown, who is emeritus professor of Politics at Oxford University, discussed the intertwined concepts of leadership and power at the University’s Education City campus at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2. The internationally-respected scholar is the author, editor or co-author of eighteen books, including the recent title The Myth of the Strong Leader: Political Leadership in the Modern Age.

His talk at GU-Q focused on the belief that forceful leaders, as opposed to those focused on ‘weaker’ collaborative efforts, are the most effective and admired.

“Not only in authoritarian regimes, where autocracy is worse than oligarchy, but in democracies too, there is a dangerous cult of the ‘strong leader’… it is part of the appeal of Donald Trump,” said Brown. “A more collegial style of leadership is too often characterized as weakness and the advantages of a more collective leadership overlooked. I contest the idea that leaders who concentrate great power in their individual hands and dominate their colleagues should be viewed as the most successful and admirable.”

Brown, who taught at St Antony’s College at Oxford University for 34 years, is known for his expertise in Soviet politics, the evolution of communism, and political leadership. In addition to writing multiple award-winning books, he has served as a visiting professor of Political Science at Yale University, the University of Connecticut, Columbia University, and the University of Texas at Austin.