Prof Torun Dewan

This course is available on the MSc in Political Science (Global Politics), MSc in Political Science (Political Behaviour), MSc in Political Science (Political Science and Political Economy) and MSc in Public Policy and Administration. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process. For information on controlled access courses, including eligibility, application processes, deadlines, and departmental contact details, please refer to the Controlled Access Courses webpage.

How to apply: to apply for a place on this course, please write a short statement of 200 words (max) outlining the specific reasons for applying and how the course will benefit your academic/career goals. You should check that you meet any pre-requisites in the course guide before applying (where applicable). Places on capped courses cannot be guaranteed.  

Deadline for application: The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 25 September 2026. You can expect to be informed of the outcome of your application by 12:00 noon on Monday 28 September 2026. Any places remaining after this date will be allocated based on priority and written statement - up until course selection closes.

For queries contact: gov.msc@lse.ac.uk.

•    No prior specialist background is required.
•    Key theoretical and methodological concepts will be introduced in an accessible way through the course, including via the formative case study.

This course examines political leadership through the lens of political economy. It combines formal theoretical models with empirical and case-based analysis to explore how leaders emerge, communicate, and survive in democratic institutions. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to critically assess major theories of leadership using real-world evidence.

20 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.

Case analysis / study (3000 words).

Student-led presentations to support engagement and learning.
Students will complete a case study or narrative of a leader or group of leaders, applying the core theoretical approaches introduced on the course - upper word limit of 3000 words.
The task is designed to develop students’ ability to link theory and empirical analysis in preparation for the summative assessment.
Students will receive detailed written feedback, which can be used to inform their summative work. 

Bueno de Mesquita, B. and Smith, A. (2011) The Dictator’s Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always Good Politics. New York: Public Affairs.

Berlinski, S., Dewan, T. and Dowding, K. (2012) Accounting for Ministers: Scandal and Survival in British Government 1945–2007. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Ahlquist, J.S. and Levi, M. (2011) ‘Leadership: What It Means, What It Does, and What We Want to Know About It’, Annual Review of Political Science, 14, pp. 1–24.

Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period.

The summative exam will ask students to respond to a set of short‑answer questions and then write a longer essay.
The essay element will ask students to draw on the formative case study and associated feedback, ensuring a clear developmental link between the formative and summative assessments.