‘Centred in self yet not unpleased to please’ the arts of political leadership in post-colonial Malta (1964-1979)

Abstract

Politics may be defined as the art and science of governance which involves competition between groups or individuals for power, influence and leadership (McLean & McMillan, 2009:417, Folorunso, 2013:10). Scruton (2007) contends that a wide spectrum of definitions exists. These can be both conciliatory and cynical. He cites Otto von Bismark’s definition of politics as ‘the art of the possible’ and quotes Isaac Disraeli’s more cynical assertion that politics is ‘the art of governing mankind through deceiving them.’ Grint (2000) argues that leadership should be considered as ‘an ensemble of arts’ rather than a science. The understanding of politics as an art, coupled with the role of leadership, are thus key factors to the analysis of public life. This study seeks to examine the arts of leadership employed by the main political and ecclesiastical leaders in Malta’s formative period following independence up until 1979 – the year the British Forces closed their base in Malta.