singleleader

Singleleader is a term used to describe a model in which authority or coordination is centralized in one individual or node.

In political systems, a single leader denotes centralized executive power, typical of autocratic regimes, monarchies, or dictatorships, where the head of state or government holds primary authority and formal constraints are limited. This concentration can enable rapid decision-making but may reduce checks and balances and limit accountability.

In organizations, a single leader describes a leadership structure in which one person sets strategy and makes final decisions, with others providing support, implementation, or counsel. This can streamline execution and provide clear direction, but may also concentrate risk and limit input from diverse perspectives.

In distributed computing, a single leader refers to a coordination pattern in which one node acts as a central coordinator, proposing changes and guiding replication. Leader election algorithms in this context (such as Raft or Paxos) designate the leader to ensure consistency and a single total order of operations. This approach can improve clarity and performance but creates a potential single point of failure, which is typically mitigated by replication, fast failover, and the ability for followers to take over when the leader becomes unavailable.

The concept contrasts with shared decision-making or distributed leadership, where authority is deliberately spread across multiple actors to enhance resilience and inclusivity.