Abu Mazen’s Presidency: A Mix of Transactional and Transformational Leadership

This study aims to shed light on Abu Mazen’s leadership as the president of the Palestinian Authority (PA) since 2005. Based on several hundred of his speeches, the paper seeks to understand whether his leadership is transactional or transformational, focusing on four central issues that Abu Mazen has dealt with as president: the diplomatic/political process; the PA’s relations with Hamas; the functioning of the internal security system; and the promotion of infrastructure for an independent state. The study’s primary conclusion is that the Palestinian president is more of a transactional than a transformational leader. Basically, he is more passive than active, only willing to initiate if the initiative does not endanger his political status or lead to potential harm.