This document defines and describes different types of rural leaders. It states that a rural leader is someone who leads and influences others in a rural context. There are two main types of rural leaders: formal leaders who have institutionalized status and power, and informal leaders who gain influence through expertise or personality. The document also describes democratic leaders who make decisions collectively through bodies like village councils, and authoritarian leaders who make unilateral decisions. Additionally, it lists some specific types of rural leaders such as traditional, caste, religious, political, functional, and opinion leaders.

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RURAL LEADERSHIP:
CONCEPT AND DEFINITION, TYPES OF LEADERS
IN RURAL CONTEXT

2. Meaning of Rural Leader
 A leader is someone who leads, inspires, or governs others. In
other words, he or she has a sizable following and has
significant influence over that following.
 He or she has the ability to organise their behaviour in order to
achieve their interests and objectives.

3. Leadership is the result of a collective action.
 It is an interactive process. While a leader and his followers are both
individuals, leadership is a process.
 A continuous course of action involving many elements that interact
with one another is referred to as a process.

4. TYPES OF RURAL LEADERS
FORMAL LEADERS
The status is institutionalised, and it is structured (having a defined form and structure).
To put it another way, the leaders have power.
This implies that the society has clearly defined the necessary qualifications for the
position of leader.
Persons with the required qualification are appointed to the position and are expected to
carry out the social responsibilities that come with the status of power.

5. INFORMAL LEADERS
 Informal In any group situation, some individuals become more influential in
the group's life.
 Their viewpoints are respected and acted upon.
 They might even plan people's activities.
 In a village, for example, someone may have a higher educational status or be
more familiar with government procedures.

6. DEMOCRATIC LEADERS
This is typical of Panchayat bodies, in which decisions are made collectively by
Panchayat members with the approval of the rural electorates in the Gram Sabha.
Major decisions are made in a general assembly (Gram Sabha), where all adult
citizens have a right to speak. Decisions are typically made in this setting for the benefit of the
general public.

7. AUTHORITARIAN LEADERS
 Authoritarian Individual decision-making without the involvement of others.
 By the force of wealth or muscle power, a person can sometimes rise to a
position of power and rule over others with a small following.
 Such a leader is likely to be authoritarian, making all of his own decisions.
 Landlords frequently rose to the position of village chief and imposed
authoritarian rule on the rural population.

8. (i) Traditional leaders
- Emerge out of tradition and stick to tradition.
- Static type and do not accept change.
- Have vested interests.
(ii) Caste leaders
- Followers belong to the same caste as that of leaders.
- Provide leadership in matters related to caste.

9. (iii) Religious leaders
- Become leader by performing religious acts or rituals.
- Advise followers on religious matters.
(iv) Political leaders
- Arise out of the political system.

10. (v) Functional leaders
- Recognised because of their specialized knowledge and function in the society.
Eg. Professionals like teachers , doctors etc.,
(vi) Opinion leaders
- These are the people to whom other people go for opinion or advice on certain issues.