High Hopes and Disappointment Political Leadership and the Failure of Democracy in Haiti under Aristide
Date of Award
2005
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Hicks, Barbara
Keywords
Political Leadership, Leadership, Haiti, Aristide, Jean-Bertrand
Area of Concentration
Social Sciences
Abstract
This research deals with political leadership in Haiti. Jean-Bertrand Aristide's political leadership career is examined within the context of leadership theories concerning leader-follower bonds, power, and charisma. Central to this thesis is the debate between the relative effects of historical, political, and institutional constraints on leaders and the effects of leader's own choices in shaping the leader's performance. The political leadership of Jean-Bertrand Aristide is discussed within the context of Haiti's traditions of a violent, self-serving state that has never existed in the interests of Haitian civil society. In focusing on the debate between historical and environmental constraints versus personal leadership accountability, I examine Aristide's rise to power through charismatic leadership, his experiences as both a constituted and nonconstituted leader, and the strategies he chose to employ at various stages. This analysis indicates that Aristide never demonstrated any democratic tendencies, and it was only through his ambiguous and appealing rhetoric that he maintained a followership base as long as he did. Aristide's political career offers the conclusion that Aristide did, in fact, fall into the long line of Haiti's authoritarian leaders; however, this did not occur solely because of historical or environmental constraints. Aristide made deliberate decisions during his leadership tenure that determined his eventual loss of a followership base. This thesis indicates the limits of charismatic leadership, the limits of an ideology based in a politics of opposition, and the extremely constrained and difficult nature of Haitian political leadership.
Recommended Citation
Paul, David, "High Hopes and Disappointment Political Leadership and the Failure of Democracy in Haiti under Aristide" (2005). Theses & ETDs. 3565.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3565
Rights
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