How Much Can One Individual Alter History? More and Less Than You Think

History Unplugged Podcast · Feb 2, 2023 · 42m

How far can a single leader alter the course of history? Thomas Carlyle, who promoted the Great Man Theory, says that talented leaders are the primary – if not the sole – cause of change. This view has been challenged by social scientists who understand that leaders are not only constrained by their societies, but merely products of them. Whatever this interplay between a personality and his society, it raises the question of whether dictators are as unconstrained as they seem, and if so, how do they attain that power?

Today’s guest is Ian Kershaw, author of Personality and Power. We look at…