In the novel Lord of the Flies, the author William Golding examines the different leadership styles in a society

Although he is chosen by the boys for the protection he promises, Jack symbolizes a dictator as he shows that he will do whatever it takes, including acts of violence and brainwashing, to obtain power. When discussing the foundations for his new tribe, Jack confirms doubts about the beast, “‘I [Jack] say this. We aren’t going to bother about the beast…We are going to forget about the beast’” (133). The boys in Jack’s tribe are overcome by the security that Jack offers them by telling them it is all right to forget the beast. In gaining the boys’ confidence, Jack becomes their chief, not by force, but by the people’s choice. When dealing with his captives Sam and Eric, Jack uses violence and persuasive language to lure them into his tribe, brainwashing them in the process, “The chief [Jack] snatched up one of the few spears that were left and poked Sam in the ribs. ‘…What d’you mean by coming with spears? What d’you mean by not joining my tribe?’”(182) Jack utilizes fear with the boys in order to gain control of them. He taunts Sam and Eric into thinking they did something wrong, which compels them to submit to his desires. Boys are at first drawn into Jack’s tribes because of the security he promises, but Jack only satisfies their short term wants and needs, and in the end, only seeks after power for himself.

In contrast to Jack, Piggy symbolizes a paternalistic leadership style that is characterized as logical, intelligent, and dependable. Piggy speaks to the boys about how they should have made shelters first, when he chides them, “‘…the first time Ralph says ‘fire’ you goes howling and screaming up this here mountain. Like a pack of kids’” (45). He describes the boys as a group of kids, though he himself is a child, because he believes that he is more sensible and sophisticated than the rest. He finds their quick action immature and unwise and attempts to correct them.  After Piggy’s death, as Ralph is trying to decide whether to hide or to flee, he wonders, “What was the sensible thing to do? There was no Piggy to talk sense.”(196) Ralph has relied on Piggy for security in making decisions. Now that Piggy is not there, it seems the world doesn’t make sense, because there is no one to give Ralph a mature perspective on the matters at hand. Piggy’s mature outlook on problems helps Ralph and the other boys to make decisions, and find sensible solutions that lead to better survival.

Using the three main characters Ralph, Jack, and Piggy, Golding shows how democratic, dictatorial, and paternalistic leadership styles contrast in the way they seek power and secure survival.  In Ralph, the boys find a leader willing to listen to their ideas; in Jack, they find security and hope, and in Piggy, they find wisdom in their decision making.  In societies in our own world, it seems that strong leadership coupled with the balanced distribution of power and the logical, sensible approach of mature adults would best meet the needs for survival.