Patterns of Leadership in a Rural Malay Community

Abstract

ALTHOUGH LITERATURE ON the modernization of post-traditional societies usually includes generalizations about the mobilization of peasants in support of political and socioeconomic change, it often ignores the complex factors influencing the exercise of village leadership. In the case of Malaysia, for example, despite repeated pronouncements by national leaders that attaining the government's goals will require a mental revolution among the peasantry and their more active participation in development programs, very little is known about the village leaders' ability to contribute to national development. This case study of a Malay community in northwest Johore is concerned with three topics: (1) changing patterns of leadership in Sungai Raya since World War II; (2) factors affecting the exercise of leadership; and (3) the leaders' performance of specific leadership activities.' The analysis describes significant differences in the effectiveness with which the leaders perform various roles. The study indicates that they are not mobilizing the community to accelerate rural development. It suggests that mass-based political parties are potentially more effective than the bureaucracy in mobilizing villagers to participate in efforts to encourage social change and economic growth.