What came first, the leader or the zeitgeist?

Question

Does the leader of a country SHAPE the times, or REFLECT the times that they are in power?

Answer 1

Undoubtedly leaders shape their times rather than being a mere reflection of their external environment. They arise out of the status-quo and are influenced by it. But since they know the status-quo, they have a deep unease in them against the rotten parts of the state of affairs and that is why they challenge it. Also, they have a vision for a better society; a vision that most of the people miss because they are so bogged down in the details.. Change is always difficult, and it is always resented. Leaders have to face a lot of criticism and opposition in the face of their radical views, but they persist. Gandhi once said " First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight with you. Then you win." Such is the power of their courage of conviction and belief in their ideas. And the world/society realizes the significance of their views later on. That is why sometimes their views are considered out-of-age, ahead-of-their-time views. But these views are so powerful that later on they change the course of history.

Martin Luther's views on the fossilized form of Christianity was a radical view completely inconsistent with the zeitgeist. He was castigated and persecuted. But he believed in his views which later on changed the course of Christianity for ever.

Gandhi took up an entirely new kind of struggle aganist the colonial rulers of India, the British; a form that was never ever practised before in history. A non-violent, non-cooperative yet defiant approach that eventually brough the most powerful nation to submission. In the beginning he was ridiculed and critisiced for his approach that was considered to be childish and futile. But Gandhi believed it to be the most powerful weapon in the hands of unarmed and browbeaten people against the might of the British empire.

When Martin Luther Jr took up cudgels against the prevailing racial discrimination in USA he was not reflecting the zeitgeist. He was in the process of shaping the US society for ever by his struggle against the inequality. He felt the need for change in the status-quo and had the courage to stand up against the wrongs in the society.

There are umpteen instances in history that clearly suggest that leaders have shaped their external environment. They do that because they have a vision to see beyond the apparent, they can see the rot that others can't see or don't want to see. That is why they SHAPE rather than REFLECT. A leader sees the future, beyond the horizon.

Answer 2

This depends on the quality of the leader and the influence of the country. A visionary leader of a powerful country might be said to shape the times. Most don't have enough influence to really do that...
On the other hand, any leader has to come to power somehow. Typically this means riding a tide of popular sentiment, which would require that the leader reflect the zeitgeist (otherwise it's not popular sentiment). Also, most leaders aren't visionaries because the reality of politics requires them to be more pragmatic.

Thus I'd say world leaders merely reflect the zeitgeist, with perhaps a very few exceptions.

Answer 3

Depends on the country. But, in some sense, given that any leader needs followers, a leader must reflect in order to shape.

Answer 4

the leader of a country does both. he shapes the country while in power and makes it strong or weak-take us, the US today under Bush for ex. vs. the same country under Clinton. he also is responsible for making good decisions not only for him but for all of the people as well as to reflect the kind of times that are happening while he or she are in power. they reflect the good or bad times thru things such as economy, wars, badmouthing other presidents or leaders as well as surpluses, increase or decrease in tax, etc. a leader should be the one that needs both things in my opinion to rule a country: he could be the best ruler/leader ever but if he does not know how to shape thing or to reflect the times or glory then it is a shame. that is what the French did under their monarchy at one point, leading to Versailles and it shows the wealth, prosperity and everything they had at that time. If a leader cannot do that then he or she is not fit for the job description.

Answer 5

If they are any good then they SHAPE the times,

if they are weak then they can only REFLECT the times

(I guess)

Answer 6

Leader's are all in our history books.

Answer 7

It probably depends on whether you are talking about a democracy or a dictatorship.

Answer 8

Hang on, I,ll go and ask my dad, Winston Churchill, ok.