Is it time for an American "caudillo"? In his OpEd column last Sunday, Ross Douthat wrote, "Donald Trump is clearly running to be an American caudillo." This term is unfamiliar to most English-speaking Americans. It is a Spanish word
that basically refers to a "benevolent strongman." My doctoral research for Princeton Seminary examined the leadership style of a "caudillo." My study was in the context of my work with the Venezuelan Presbyterian Church. The following pages
are taken from the first chapter of my thesis where I describe a "caudillo." I hope that this will give you a better understanding of Ross Douthat's comment.