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The Role of the Transitional Leader: A Comparative Analysis of Adolfo Suárez and Boris Yeltsin

University of Melbourne, Australia, thomasao{at}unimelb.edu.au

The role of leadership in transitional regimes is an issue that requires closer examination, given the ability of the leader to shape and determine the direction of the regime. This paper seeks to delineate some common features of leadership during such regimes and the factors influencing the ability of leaders to manipulate and shift the direction of the process. To illustrate, it adopts a comparative analysis of the leadership of Adolfo Suárez (Spain) and Boris Yeltsin (Russia). It will be shown that, despite the different outcomes of these cases, there are clear similarities that point to the existence of a form of transitional leadership. Central to the paper is an adoption of the notion of structure and agency to determine the extent actors in this position can affect change within the constraints faced.

Key Words: agency • structuration • Suárez • transition • transitional leadership • Yeltsin

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Leadership, Vol. 3, No. 4, 419-432 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1742715007082965


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by O'Brien, T. A. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?