Compare and contrast the role of leaders in the emergence of two democratic states.

The question requires that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences between the role of leaders in the emergence of two states, referring to both throughout. The two states may or may not be from the same region. In India, Mahatma Gandhi’s civil disobedience campaigns were built upon by Jawaharlal Nehru, who laid down the principles which guided the new state, including secularism and equality before the law. In Japan after the Second World War, the role of the occupying power, and therefore MacArthur, was key in the emergence of democracy in the form of a new constitution, underpinned by, for example, educational reform and female suffrage. Similarly, the role of the leaders of the victorious powers in 1945 was central to the establishment of West German democracy, while domestic politicians such as Adenauer played their part. Comparison or contrast with the role of leaders such as Mandela and de Klerk, who brought about the emergence of a more democratic state in South Africa, would be relevant.

The question required that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences between the role of leaders in the emergence of two democratic states, referring to both throughout. Only a few responses were seen to this question. Among the more popular examples of leaders were Gandhi and Nkrumah.