P.W. Botha as decision maker: a preliminary study of personality and politics

ABSTRACT

This article starts with a review of the literature on political decision making in South Africa. It is pointed out that the existing studies devote considerable attention to identifying the key role players in top‐level decision making. However, very little research has been done on the effects of leaders’ personal characteristics on the making of public policy in South Africa. This study focuses in particular on the personal political style of P.W. Botha. It applies Hermann's conceptual scheme to analyse Botha's decision and interpersonal style. The authors conclude by stressing that this field of research still poses many challenges.