A new spin on PM power

Students have to go the extra mile to impress examiners on this highly popular topic

In order to elevate responses in this field students must seek to address issues such as Foley’s thesis of spatial leadership (particularly its double edged sword nature), the Jones theory of the elastic premiership, Pareto’s circulating elites, and the so called 10 year rule.

A further area that candidates may want to explore is in today’s Guardian. David Owen, the former leader of the SDP, has outlined a thesis that politicians suffer from ‘hubris syndrome’. Owen describes the symptoms as:

• A narcissistic propensity to see one’s world primarily as an arena in which to exercise power and seek glory

• A disproportionate concern with image and presentation

• A messianic manner

• Excessive confidence in own judgment and contempt for advice

• Exaggerated self-belief, bordering on omnipotence

• A belief that one is accountable solely to history or god

• Loss of contact with reality; often associated with progressive isolation

• Restlessness, recklessness and impulsiveness

According to Owen, he believes that this is medical and a change in brain chemistry could be brought about by excessive stress and little sleep. Intoxicated by power Prime Ministers take their powers to the absolute limit but by doing so, they paradoxically are masters of their own downfall. Owen sees Mrs Thatcher developing this condition in her third term, and Blair changing in 2001, especially so after 9/11.

The cure for this condition? Cabinet government. But failing that democracy is the ultimate check: Thatcher and Blair were both brought down by backbenchers.