"A man must be himself" - The political style of Charles de Gaulle, Richard Nixon and Tony Blair

Abstract

Political style is more than attractive 'packaging' of a politician and his/her message; it is the whole of words and actions, their communication and reception by others and the way they relate to the core values the politician holds. This thesis argues that using it as an analytical tool adds an extra layer of understanding to the study of political history and that the use of autobiographical sources can be particularly valuable here. The political memoir gives insight into the political identity its author wants to communicate to his/her public, and is especially interesting when published during a career instead of after.

The paper contains three case studies of the political style of three former political leaders who were exceptionally skilled in creating a personal connection with the people they led: former French President General Charles de Gaulle, former US President Richard Nixon, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.