Because social scientists have been unable to find consistent evidence that particular traits are related to leadership, they have shifted the focus in recent years to leadership "styles." Plato was perhaps the first to deal with the idea of leadership style. In The Republic he provides an analysis of leadership powered by "self-serving individualists," "benevolent tyrants," and of course the dialectic style of leadership. (Clemens and Mayer, 1982, p. 39). The term dialectic style suggests an open dialogue among individuals seeking positive change though a rational discussion of opposing arguments. It was the seedbed of a more open and "democratic" approach.