Book Review: Michael Foley, Political Leadership: Themes, Contexts and Critiques
| DOI | 10.1177/1478929916677892 |
| Author | Edward Hall |
| Date | 01 February 2017 |
| Published date | 01 February 2017 |
| Subject Matter | Book ReviewsPolitical Theory |
Political Studies Review 15 (1)
how the modern state’s power to exclude is the
– how leaders arise, how they maintain their
product of historical processes laden with racism
positions and how their time as leaders comes
and imperialism. Ignoring this history invites
to an end. Part II focuses on what Foley refers
historical injustice to be smuggled into contem-
to as modes of leadership appeal and various
porary political thought. It is a keen example of
aspects of political communication. In so
the dangers of neglecting history in favour of
doing, he addresses a number of the unique
abstraction and a warning to ideal theorists.
challenges facing leaders in the contemporary
Chandran Kukathas also provides a pro-
world. Part III addresses leadership in interna-
vocative argument that the distinction between
tional politics. Part IV contains two chapters:
refugees and other migrants is not as firm as
chapter 11 examines the changing nature
many would like to think (illustrated by the
of contemporary leadership while chapter 12
claim that the vital interests of some economic
reviews the material from the earlier analysis.
migrants are in greater danger than some refu-
As an overview of the multiple ways in
gees) and that the interests of powerful states,
which leadership can and has been studied, this
rather than the vulnerable, have shaped the
book is a notable success. Foley discusses an
refugee system. However, more could have
admirably wide array of ways of studying lead-
been said on the matter of illegal migration.
ership and always does so in a judicious and
Many of the authors claim that there should be
informative manner. In consequence, those
a more liberal migration regime. If this is not
new to the subject will find Political Leadership
forthcoming, then is illegal migration justi-
– Themes, Contexts and Critiques a very help-
fied? And is there a duty to assist them? That
ful resource.
being said, this...
To continue reading
Request your trial