Great Leadership in Historical Perspective

This course used historical analysis to evaluate why some presidents have been considered to be among the most effective leaders and why others have left a legacy of failure. We focus on the twentieth century, from Nixon to Biden, for our case studies. The seminar evaluates social scientific models of leadership and delves into the historical record to discover any consistent patterns that are relevant for today. Careful consideration is given to the distinct challenges posed by different institutional and political settings. The course also explores the ways in which historical analysis can be useful to policymaking.