Author(s):
Anshul Pandey, Ramsiya Charmkar
Email(s):
Email ID Not Available
DOI:
10.52711/2321-5828.2025.00051 
Address:
Anshul Pandey1, Ramsiya Charmkar2
1Research Scholar, Political Science, Rabindranath Tagore University, Raisen M.P.
2Associate Professor, Political Science, Humanities and Liberal Arts, Rabindranath Tagore University, Raisen M.P.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 16,
Issue - 4,
Year - 2025
ABSTRACT:
In an era marked by political disillusionment, economic inequality, and institutional fatigue, social entrepreneurs are increasingly stepping into the realm of political leadership, reshaping traditional paradigms of governance and public service. This research explores the transformative role of social entrepreneurs who transition into political leadership and how their hybrid identities influence civic engagement, participatory democracy, and state-society relations. Rather than being confined to the nonprofit or private sectors, many social entrepreneurs are using their experience in driving systemic social change to enter formal political systems, campaigning on platforms of innovation, transparency, and inclusivity. This study contends that such actors represent a unique fusion of civic idealism and pragmatic governance, offering alternative leadership models that challenge established political norms. Through a multidisciplinary lens, combining insights from political science, sociology, development studies, and public administration, this research investigates the theoretical and empirical implications of this shift. It examines the motivations, strategies, and impacts of social entrepreneurs who have assumed or aspire to assume political office. Drawing on case studies from our country, the study maps the trajectories of prominent individuals whose civic ventures evolved into political platforms, from municipal politics to national leadership. Examples include mayors, parliamentarians, and presidential candidates who have redefined political engagement by embedding principles of social entrepreneurship—such as innovation, scalability, impact assessment, and cross-sector collaboration—into governance. This research ultimately argues for a reconceptualization of political leadership through the lens of social entrepreneurship. It offers a framework for analyzing how hybrid leadership can catalyze democratic renewal and proposes normative principles for institutionalizing such models without undermining democratic integrity. As the global political landscape grapples with legitimacy crises and civic disengagement, the rise of social entrepreneur-politicians offers valuable insights into how alternative leadership pathways can bridge the divide between citizens and the state, foster inclusive development, and reinvigorate the public sphere.
Cite this article:
Anshul Pandey, Ramsiya Charmkar. Social Entrepreneurs as Political Leaders: Redefining Civic Engagement and State-Society Relations. Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 2025;16(4):313-6. doi: 10.52711/2321-5828.2025.00051
Cite(Electronic):
Anshul Pandey, Ramsiya Charmkar. Social Entrepreneurs as Political Leaders: Redefining Civic Engagement and State-Society Relations. Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 2025;16(4):313-6. doi: 10.52711/2321-5828.2025.00051 Available on: https://rjhssonline.com/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2025-16-4-11