Visionary Political Leadership: On Improving a Risky Requisite

Abstract

Basic human needs combined with political processes and societal requirements periodically make visionary political leadership (VPL) unavoidable and functionally necessary. But VPL is highly risky, often leading to catastrophes. Foreseeable situations sharpen the dilemma, making VPL more likely and more necessary while also increasing its dangers, thanks to modern technologies. Therefore it is essential to improve VPL. Eight proposals for improvement are presented in this article: selection and election of VPL; training, education, and insight upgrading of VPL; advisory structures for VPL; practical vision developing organiza tions ; procedures for democratic choice among practical visions; special implementation instruments; procedures for removal of dangerous VPL; and international control and containment of fanatical VPL. The neoplatonic nature of such proposals is recognized. But without far-reaching innovations, there is no hope of improving VPL, its needed functions will not be properly satisfied, and, instead, serious consequences, because of its pathologies, will be unavoidable.