Actions Of A Leader Essay, Research Paper

Actions of a Leader

The job of a ruler or president is to secure the safety of the nation as well as its economy. Many people believe that leaders who are cheaters and liars can be effective rulers; however, this notion is completely incorrect. Throughout history there have been many types of rulers and their level of efficiency can be traced back to how they behaved while in power. In general those who were commendable people were successful during their tenure. Therefore, it is necessary for all leaders of nations to be honorable human beings.

A prime example of what a ruler should be is the United States? 32nd President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. F.D.R. was the best-loved American President of the 20th century. He was loved because, though patrician by birth, upbringing and style, he believed in and fought for plain people–for the “forgotten man” (and woman), for the “third of the nation, ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished.” He was loved because he radiated personal charm, joy in his work, optimism for the future. Even Charles de Gaulle, who well knew Roosevelt’s disdain for him, gave into the “glittering personality,” as he put it, of “that artist, that seducer.” “Meeting him,” said Winston Churchill, “was like uncorking a bottle of champagne.” Even Republicans have come to applaud this most successful of Democrats. Ronald Reagan voted four times for F.D.R. Newt Gingrich calls F.D.R. the greatest President of the century. Bob Dole praises F.D.R. as an “energetic and inspiring leader during the dark days of the Depression; a tough, single-minded Commander in Chief during World War II; and a statesman (Biography.com).

Since F.D.R. was a respectable and honorable man, his actions in office stand out as being some of the best. Roosevelt came to the presidency during an economic crisis, industry was paralyzed and about 30 percent of the workforce were unemployed. Roosevelt began providing relief on a large scale by giving work to the unemployed and by approving a device for bringing increased income to farmers, who were in even worse conditions than city workers. Also, he devalued the currency and enabled debtors to discharge debts that had long been frozen. Closed banks all over the country were assisted to reopen, and gradually the crisis was overcome (Biography.com).

Immediately following Roosevelt was another worthy leader, Harry S. Truman. Once in office he was brought face-to-face with many crucial economic issues due to WWII, but he quickly remedied these problems. He declared wage increases essential to cushion the blows from changes in the economy, sternly opposed restrictive measures against labor, and acted to maintain union rights. Truman?s character showed when he energetically supported the wartime Fair Employment Act, designed to prevent discrimination against African Americans, Jews, and other minority groups. Truman was a fair and respectable president that enabled the country to flourish while in office. His decisions and efforts have noticeably helped America to become the nation it is today.

In light of these two honored leaders, many people still believe that a corrupt and/or dishonest person can run a country. However, countries of the world have suffered the most while having or after having a corrupt ruler in power. There have been numerous instances in which the individual in power completely ruined the status of their nation. During the term of the Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin Dada Oumee, Uganda endured its roughest times as a nation. Infamous for his extreme nationalism, Amin seized foreign-owned businesses and estates. In 1972 he drove out the Asian population, who dominated Uganda?s trade and manufacturing sectors and as a result of the Asian exodus, the economy of Uganda rapidly declined. In addition to these injustices that already disqualify him as an effective ruler, Amin also ordered the killing of thousands of Ugandan tribes. Two of which, the Acholi and the Lango, made up the majority of Uganda?s army. His blatant disregard for life and the security of his nation led to between 100,00 to 300,000 deaths in Uganda.

Besides Idi Amin, there have been other rulers who have tainted their country?s society and ruined the image of their nation. Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini both changed the history of their countries with their heinous deeds. Mussolini?s fascist practices led to thousands of dead workers along the Italian peninsula and Hitler?s anti-Semitic beliefs sparked a world war. It is because of their harsh and oppressive personalities that leaders like Amin, Hitler and Mussolini will never be deemed as great leaders, and that is why it is imperative that all rulers, presidents, etc. be honorable and commendable individuals.

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