Personalisation, Leadership and Democracy

The chapter focuses on the implications for leadership and political representation arising from the processes of personalisation and disintermediation in contemporary democracies. It considers the societal changes that have led to the crisis of traditional political intermediaries, such as parties, and the rise of leader-centred democracy. The chapter examines how the personalisation of politics has reshaped the relationship between leaders and their constituencies, resulting in a more direct and plebiscitary form of democracy. It identifies the tension between individualisation and collective identity, investigating how these processes contribute to the redefinition of political leadership in modern societies. Moreover, the chapter considers the implications of these changes for the future of democratic governance, suggesting that the personalisation of leadership may undermine traditional forms of political representation.