Lord Of The Flies: Why Do We Choose The Leaders That We Do Essay, Research Paper
In the following paper, I?m going to attempt to explain why it is that we
choose the leaders in which we do. There are many various reasons why we pick
certain individuals to lead us. The first one, which is in no relation to Loard
of the Flies, is by being appointed. People are often predetermined leaders.
One of the most obvious examples of this is royalty. For thousands of years,
sons and daughters of royal famlies are given power when their parents pass on.
If both king and queen pass on, and they have no children, then the next
closest relative will take power. ?In the past, chiefdoms existed in a great
number of Polynesian societies on Pacific Ocean islands, such as those that
make up what is now Hawaii. Chiefdoms were the first societies to have
positions of defined, permanent leadership. Chiefdoms still exist in some
places under national governments. For instance, chiefs of the Kpelle of
Liberia are political leaders for the country?s national districts.? Another
example of an appointed leader is when a leader appoints someone to a position
of power. In this day and age, we do this in our own country. The president has
the authority to give members of his cabinet jobs that come with power. In the
military, Larkin 2 people are constantly advanced in rank. By doing this, they
are given more power and put into a position of leadership. However, this isn?t
the only way people come into power. Many tribes (Indians, African, Eskimo)
have different systems of government. Some have several, leaders others have
just one. ?Within most tribes, all groups commonly have about equal status.
Since every person belongs to a descent group, no one person ranks too far
above or below another. In some tribes, however, people known as big men might
earn a degree of higher status and respect than others by demonstrating bravery
or bravado.? This was exhibited by both Ralph and Jack. First by Ralph by him
electing to search for the ?Beastie? on Castle Rock. He knew that in order to
keep his place as the leader, he couldn?t show fear. After Ralph was on the
jetty, realizing that he might loose any chance of power, Jack soon decides to
overcome his fear and follow. The second time was when the boys were climbing
the cliff, once again to search for the Larkin 3 Beast. This time, Ralph stayed
behind and Jack went first. Jack knew that being brave would get him more
respect and put him one step closer to being chief. Thus, by showing their
bravery, the boys fought for the position of leadership. And then, there?s
strength. Strength plays a big part in leadership. In humans as well as wild
animals. Many animals live in pacts. Within this group are different classes.
At the top of the chain is the leader. For example, take the silverback
gorilla. The silverback gorilla is the leader of its group because he is able
to take control and fight off enemies. If there is a danger, he will confront
it. However, if another silverback comes along, challenges the original leader,
and wins, the original leader will abandon the group and live a solitary life.
At this time, the winner will take over. Strength has over come weakness, and
the winning gorilla is rewarded with power. Plus, within the group, there are
two other subdominant male gorillas who receive their power based upon their
strength. This is common in many other animals. Larkin 4 Leaders can become
leaders by using their talent. Their talent of talking. Speeches, convincing
the masses, ect. Adolph Hitler was a good speaker. Through his methods, he was
able to convince thousands of people to follow him. He brought out peoples
passions. Told them what they wanted to hear. Gave them someone to blame for
their problems. And by doing this, the people choose him to lead them. They believed
in him, his ideas, and, for the most part, many of his methods. We pick our
politicians because of what they say. Why did the Republican Party choose over
? Because he was a good speaker. With his words he was able to convince his
party that he was the right choice for the Presidential candidate. Labor Union
Leaders are chosen as well because they are good speakers. Ernest Bevin was a ?British
labor leader and statesman. About 1909, after working at a number of manual
trades, he became a labor organizer. In 1920 he gained a nationwide reputation
by making a speech before the Transport Workers’ Court of Larkin 5 Inquiry that
resulted in a standard minimum wage for British dockworkers.? Or maybe it is
their charisma. ?Recent studies found that people experience personal
attractions to a charismatic leader. People feel comfortable with a charismatic
leader. They end up trusting, obeying, feeling compasion for their leader and
even ?feel an emotional involvement in the mission they are led into? (Http://psychology.about.com/education).
Look at such leaders as Adolph Hitler, John F. Kennedy, Nelson Mandela, and
Martin Luther King jr. They all had charisma, all were loved and adored by the
people they led, and all had a large number of dedicated followers. Several
years ago, there was a cult known as Heavens Gate. The cult was founded and led
by a man by the name of Marshall Herff Applewhite. In 1975, he claimed to be a
space alien. Soon after he convinced a group of 20 people to leave their lives
behind and join him. Then, they moved to Colorado to meet with a space ship
that was supposedly going to pick them all up?Obviously, the ship never came.
Eighteen years later, he and his group resurfaced. In early 1997, he as well as
the rest of his followers, committed mass suicide. How was he able to have
these people believe his outlandish story? Through charisma. A former disciple
of Applewhites? stated ?I don?t think he Larkin 6 needed to have a following. I
think he was the kind of person that truly believed and had a lot of charisma.
And so other people followed him.? So why do we pick our leaders? It is truly a
hard question. You can think long and hard but still not have a definitive
answer. That is because it?s not just one characteristic, nor is it always the
same set of characteristics that makes a leader, a leader. A leader can not be
a leader with out followers. Each follower is looking for something different.
So, he or she finds the one with the desired traits; Strength, passion,
intelligence, charisma, so on and so on. So, what do you look for when choosing
a leader? Is it because the person is an overall good leader, or simply a good
speaker?