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Programme examining the ideas and forces which shape public policy in Britain and abroad.

Programme examining the ideas and forces which shape public policy in Britain and abroad, presented by distinguished writers, journalists and academics.

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Analysis: Do Leaders Make a Difference?

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Do Leaders Make a Difference?

07/11/2011

BBC Radio 4 - Analysis, Do Leaders Make a Difference?

Michael Blastland explores how far individuals really change what happens in the world.

Individual leadership is seen as a key to change in politics or business. But is the importance of collective action and attitudes being overlooked? Michael Blastland investigates.

Do Leaders make a Difference?

We talk much of personal leadership being the key to change in, say, politics or business. But how much can such figures really influence events? Do we overattribute power to individuals such as a prime minister or a media mogul? Have we lost sight of the overall importance of collective action and attitudes, or the trends and events that no individual can resist? Michael Blastland investigates. 

Producer: Chris Bowlby
Editor: Innes Bowen

Contributors:

Nick Chater
Professor of Behavioural Science at Warwick Business School

Professor Pat Thane
Historian at King's College London

Chris Dillow
Writer on economics and psychology

Angela Knight 
Chief Executive of the British Bankers' Association

Tristram Hunt
Historian and Labour MP

Jerker Denrell
Professor of strategy and decision making at Oxford University's Saïd Business School

Lord Baker
Former Conservative Home Secretary

Andrew Roberts
Historical and biographical writer.

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