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Greta Thunberg and The Generation of Moral Authority. A Systematic Literature Review of the Discourses of the Characteristics of Thunberg´s Leadership

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Author

  • Nessica Naomi Nässén

Summary, in English

Now more than ever, climate change poses one of the greatest threats to our existence. Regardless of religion, economical wealth, culture or politics, no-one can escape the imminent consequences of climate change. There have been numerous efforts made by political leaders world-wide to prevent climate change and develop sustainable solutions. However, due to conflicting political wills and the complex solutions that nature requires, the attempts to limit climate change have proven vastly ineffective. For these reasons, a new kind of leader for environmental change is needed to bring significant societal transformation, and unite people across all cultural and political platforms. In recent years, Greta Thunberg has become a major spokesperson for the natural environment, and has managed to mobilize people all over the world to act against climate change. Utilizing a theoretical framework based on transformational leadership and moral authority, this study aimed to discuss the characteristics of Thunberg´s leadership through a systematic literature review. Using PRISMA protocol, data was collected from different national and international media sources. A qualitative deductive content analysis was conducted to analyze the data with the assistance of ATLAS-ti.v.9 software. The findings section discusses how Thunberg embodies five typical characteristics recognized in a moral authority, being sacrifice, trust, courage, hope and belonging, to become a transformational leader that influences the possibility for climate change prevention, and enforce more sustainable solutions. This study concludes that it is through the characteristics of a moral authority that Greta Thunberg has become a global transformational leader for the natural environment.

Department/s

Publishing year

2021

Language

English

Document type

Student publication for Master's degree (two years)

Topic

  • Social Sciences

Supervisor

  • Komalsingh Rambaree (Associate Professor of Social Work)