The increasing rigidity of party organisation, discipline and control is both the cause and effect of the rise of leaders in the modem political parties. Modem parties are mass organisations. They seek to enrol and enlist as many people as its members and supporters as possible. In order to win elections effectively, manage government and solve the problems confronting the State, the party must be led by someone who can achieve these ends.
He becomes the party leader. He is its spokesmen before the people. He explains and defends its policies and programmes to them. He shows the party the way to victory. He cannot, however, dominate it.
A good party leader is not its boss but its spokesmen. His function is to give voice to the aims and ideals for which the party stands. He is aptly described as “an uncommon man of common opinions.”