Chapter 3 Summary: "Cultural Leadership"
In this chapter Hargrove describes how a president must be in tune with his constituents and be able to relate to them on a personal level. If he is too different from the people he represents then he cannot effectively lead them because he wont be able to truly relate to what they are going through. A leaders understanding of his people motivates him to act in their best interests. Hargrove quotes Dixon Wecter on the fact that a presidents greatest resource is the support of his people. We agree with Hargrove and Wector: the basis of a political leader's power is the support of his people. We find it pointless for a leader to impose policies on people if the people do not agree with their leader; he is supposed to represent their opinions. A notable quote in the chapter is on p73 and is directed to the people, "they must first experience the consequences of a social or an economic problem, and then will respond to alternative solutions proposed by political leaders." People can only respond to their leaders actions if they have knowledge and experience from the economic or social situation.