Acta Universitatis Danubius. Relationes Internationales, Vol 5, No 1 (2012)

Abstract

The end of the Cold War is often associated with the close of the year 1989, characterized by the regaining of independence in Eastern Europe countries that were under dictatorships. The end of the Cold War was also connected with the fall of the Berlin Wall or with the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991. This paper is aimed to present Slobodan Milošević, analyzed as a toxic but also
as a charismatic leader. Furthermore, this paper analyses the role of this political leader in Serbia and also in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The paper presents the concept of “toxic” leader, with the purpose of identifying characteristics of this type of leaders. In order to perceive the complexity of the
concept, the paper is focused on a multidimensional study that should emphasize the intentions, the behaviors, the character of a “toxic” leader, the impact and also the consequences of his decisions and actions. Focusing on Slobodan Milošević, this paper also outlines essential aspects which describe
“charismatic” leaders and addresses the challenging possibility of the “charismatic” leaders being “toxic” leaders simultaneously.