Leadership as a competition to influence and change contemporary societies

Abstract

In the context of European identity, leaders often become symbols of movements for social change, and the promise of change takes a central place in election campaigns and political rhetoric. Although the discussion of leadership is less present in social psychology in the context of social change, understanding the intersection between leadership and social change can bring new and useful perspectives. The processes of social influence and leadership are fundamental for understanding the transformation at both the individual and societal levels. Leaders not only represent our collective identity, but also help us define our shared future. Social change is, thus, a collective initiative that involves mobilizing around a shared identity and vision for the future. Identity change and societal change are interdependent processes, and a deeper understanding of these processes can provide new insights into how and to what extent we can influence the direction of our society. In this article we will explore several findings that show that shared social identity is a source influenced by both collective and individual factors. It is crucial to analyze from the perspective of tripolar relations of “influence and social change”, which involves a competition between sources of influence and a public mobilized for change. This approach opens up new lines of research in both fields and helps us understand why certain views of change are more appealing than others. Together, these ideas provide a new perspective for understanding the interplay between identity, social influence, and changing social relationships.