Todd Pittinsky
This research examines ways that individuals as leaders – and institutions through acts of leadership – can bring together communities of people from different social, cultural, religious, ethnic, political, and language groups to coexist, interact, and support each other with material help and by sharing group beliefs, customs, and expectations. Such cohesion is inextricably linked to democratization and governance, and in its absence there is often conflict, war, and instability (Rassoul, 2006). Democratic governments have both a need and a responsibility to ensure social cohesion, particularly in nations with many distinct identity groups. Democratic constitutions, governments, institutions, and processes must be designed and prepared to tackle the challenges of today’s multi-religious, multi-cultural, and multi-ethnic communities.