Final answer:
Ethical leadership in social studies examines how leadership should enable individual and community growth, highlighting the ethical and societal implications of leadership roles. Research studies address the universal aspects of charismatic/transformational leadership and discuss democracy's moral legitimacy based on its outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ethical leadership is a core subject across various fields of study, but its philosophic facets are particularly scrutinized within social studies, specifically in explorations of leadership, ethics, and political philosophy. Philosophers and ethicists examining this area assert that leadership should cultivate an environment where individuals have the chance to realize their full potential. This perspective aligns with the wider view that societies ought to provide opportunities that foster the personal and communal growth of their members.
In academia, several studies have focused on leadership styles, such as the works by Deanne N. Den Hartog et al. on charismatic/transformational leadership and its cross-cultural reception. These studies aim to discern whether the traits of charismatic or transformational leaders are universally recognized and valued across different cultural contexts. Discussions within the field often revolve around the role leaders play in either perpetuating societal issues, such as racism, or challenging them to create a more equitable society.
Through this lens, leadership is not only about guiding or commanding but about the ethical obligations and societal impacts that come with positions of power. Philosophers like Richard Arneson and Amartya Sen have reflected on democratic leadership, suggesting that democracy's moral legitimacy stems from its capacity to produce favorable outcomes over time compared to other governance systems.