The Role of Political Leadership in Crisis Management: Lessons From Global Pandemics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31004/rhyrad64Keywords:
Kepemimpinan Politik, Manajemen Krisis , Pandemi , Tata Kelola , Kebijakan Kesehatan MasyarakatAbstract
Political leadership plays a pivotal role in determining the effectiveness of crisis management, particularly during global pandemics that require swift, coordinated, and evidence-based responses. This study investigates the influence of political leadership styles, decision-making approaches, and governance structures on the management of pandemics such as COVID-19, H1N1, and Ebola. Using a comparative qualitative approach, data were collected from official policy documents, public speeches, and international health reports to identify patterns of leadership behavior and their impact on public health outcomes. The findings reveal that leaders who demonstrated transparent communication, strong intergovernmental collaboration, and adaptive policy-making achieved more effective containment and recovery results. Conversely, leadership characterized by delayed responses, politicization of health measures, and lack of trust-building often exacerbated the crisis. This research contributes to the understanding of how political leadership can shape crisis trajectories, offering lessons for future global health emergencies. The implications suggest that leadership training, evidence-based decision-making, and institutional resilience are critical for mitigating the socio-economic and health impacts of pandemics.
Downloads
References
Akinwale, O. E., & Onokala, U. C. (2022). Leadership and power dynamics in crisis management: a brain-drain effect – the Trump and US experience. LBS Journal of Management & Research, 20(1/2), 57–72. https://doi.org/10.1108/LBSJMR-05-2022-0008
Ametepe, P. K., & Onokala, U. C. (2023). Leadership dynamics and Covid-19 crisis management in Singapore: a contingency approach. LBS Journal of Management & Research, 21(1), 100–114. https://doi.org/10.1108/lbsjmr-11-2022-0073
Asnur, L., Jalinus, N., Faridah, A., Apra, T., Ambiyar, R. D., & Utami, F. (2024). Video-blogs ( Vlogs ) -based Project : A Meta Analysis. 14(5), 1553–1557.
Baekkeskov, E., & Rubin, O. (2014). Why pandemic response is unique: Powerful experts and hands-off political leaders. Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, 23(1), 81–93. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-05-2012-0060
Balasubramanian, S., & Fernandes, C. (2022). Confirmation of a crisis leadership model and its effectiveness: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. Cogent Business and Management, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.2022824
Beilstein, C. M., Lehmann, L. E., Braun, M., Urman, R. D., Luedi, M. M., & Stüber, F. (2021). Leadership in a time of crisis: Lessons learned from a pandemic. Best Practice and Research: Clinical Anaesthesiology, 35(3), 405–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpa.2020.11.011
Bhalla, A. S. (2021). Leadership challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic. Observer Research Foundation, 159(2), 3–38. https://www.orfonline.org/public/uploads/posts/pdf/20240617143026.pdf
Boin, A., Lodge, M., & Luesink, M. (2020). Learning from the COVID-19 crisis: an initial analysis of national responses. Policy Design and Practice, 3(3), 189–204. https://doi.org/10.1080/25741292.2020.1823670
Boin, A., McConnell, A., & ’t Hart, P. (2021). Governing the pandemic: The politics of navigating a mega-crisis. In Governing the Pandemic: The Politics of Navigating a Mega-Crisis. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-72680-5
Chatterjee, S., Hazra, S., Majumdar, R., & Banerjee, K. (2024). Crisis management in history: How leaders handled and overcame adversity in different time periods. International Journal of Financial Management and Economics, 7(1), 107–111. https://doi.org/10.33545/26179210.2024.v7.i1.268
Dewanto, D., Santosa, T. A., Ratih, A., Asrizal, A., & Hardeli, H. (2024). The Influence of the Stem-Based Guided Inquiry Model on Students’ Creative Thinking Skills in Science Learning: A Meta-Analysis Study. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(3), 88–95. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i3.6777
Glenn, J., Chaumont, C., & Villalobos Dintrans, P. (2020). Public health leadership in the times of COVID-19: a comparative case study of three countries. International Journal of Public Leadership, 17(1), 81–94. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijpl-08-2020-0082
He, A. J., Shi, Y., & Liu, H. (2020). Crisis governance, Chinese style: distinctive features of China’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Policy Design and Practice, 3(3), 242–258. https://doi.org/10.1080/25741292.2020.1799911
He, X. (2013). A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. PhD Thesis, University of Cambridge, November.
Hu, Q., & Liu, Y. (2022). Crisis Management and National Responses to COVID-19: Global Perspectives. Public Performance and Management Review, 45(4), 737–750. https://doi.org/10.1080/15309576.2022.2079692
Kuznetsova, L. (2020). COVID-19: The World Community Expects the World Health Organization to Play a Stronger Leadership and Coordination Role in Pandemics Control. Frontiers in Public Health, 8(September), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00470
Oktarina, K., Suhaimi, Santosa, T. A., Razak, A., Irdawati, Ahda, Y., Lufri, & Putri, D. H. (2021). Meta-Analysis: The Effectiveness of Using Blended Learning on Multiple Intelligences and Student Character Education During the Covid-19 Period. International Journal of Education and Curriculum Application, 4(3), 184–192. http://journal.ummat.ac.id/index.php/IJECA/article/view/5505
Rameshan, P. (2024). Leadership Behaviour in Covid-19 Crisis Response: A Personal Strategy Proposition. IIM Kozhikode Society and Management Review, 13(1), 44–69. https://doi.org/10.1177/22779752221095277
Sadiq, A.-A., Kapucu, N., & Hu, Q. (2020). Crisis leadership during COVID-19: the role of governors in the United States. International Journal of Public Leadership, 17(1), 65–80. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijpl-08-2020-0071
Thiers, C., & Wehner, L. (2023). Britain’s COVID-19 battle: The role of political leaders in shaping the responses to the pandemic. British Journal of Politics and International Relations, 25(3), 517–534. https://doi.org/10.1177/13691481231159021
Timmis, K., & Brüssow, H. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic: some lessons learned about crisis preparedness and management, and the need for international benchmarking to reduce deficits. Environmental Microbiology, 22(6), 1986–1996. https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.15029
Watkins, D. V., & Clevenger, A. D. (2021). US Political Leadership and Crisis Communication During COVID-19. Cogent Social Sciences, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2021.1901365
Wilson, S. (2020). Pandemic leadership: Lessons from New Zealand’s approach to COVID-19. Leadership, 16(3), 279–293. https://doi.org/10.1177/1742715020929151
Yiu, R. C. F., Yiu, C. P. B., & Li, V. Q. T. (2021). Evaluating the WHO’s framing and crisis management strategy during the early stage of COVID-19 outbreak. Policy Design and Practice, 4(1), 94–114. https://doi.org/10.1080/25741292.2020.1853337
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Daniel Pasaribu

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.












