Paradoxical Leadership: The Rise and Fall of Richard M. Nixon

Author

Andrew P. Langins, Augsburg College

Date of Award

5-31-2008

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL)

Department

Leadership

Abstract

This case study analyzes the leadership of the 37^th president of the United States, Richard Nixon. Nixon was elected during a time of uncertainty and turmoil in America. He assumed a goal-oriented transactional/ transformational style of leadership and his first term pragmatic domestic policies had considerable success. For example, despite a congress controlled by the opposition, Nixon provided massive funding to the arts, established the Environmental Protection Agency, and expanded affirmative action. In foreign affairs he was the first U.S. president to visit communist China and the Soviet Union. The key obstacle for Nixon's presidency was the Vietnam War. Ultimately his criminal behavior in Watergate led to his resignation and his aspirations were defeated by weakness of character.

Identifier

SC 11.MAL.2008.Langins.AP

Recommended Citation

Langins, Andrew P., "Paradoxical Leadership: The Rise and Fall of Richard M. Nixon" (2008). Theses and Graduate Projects. 773.
https://idun.augsburg.edu/etd/773