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CIDOB REPORT #04, published in May 2019, provides an in-depth analysis of the concept of hyperleadership. This phenomenon refers to a contemporary model of political leadership that is democratic and yet introduces a degree of centralization and personalism into governance while preserving the fundamental structures and principles of liberal democracy like division of powers, rule of law, and respect for pluralism.

The report is organized into eight chapters that explore hyperleadership through case studies from various geographical locations, ideological spectrums, and levels of international engagement. The introductory chapter defines hyperleadership, distinguishing it from related concepts such as populism and authoritarianism. It explains that hyperleadership is a democratic response to urgent challenges and structural crises in democratic models.

Hyperleadership involves a personalized and charismatic approach to leadership without questioning the legitimacy or foundations of democracy. It respects institutional liberalism, formal principles, and decentralized rational power organization, but recognizes that during times of exceptional urgency, democracy requires additional leadership to address operational dysfunctions and response deficits inherent in bureaucratic management systems.

Throughout the report, the authors highlight examples where leaders like Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and Shinzo Abe exhibit characteristics of hyperleadership. These leaders maintain the democratic framework while demonstrating strong personal influence over policy decisions and governance.

The report concludes by emphasizing that hyperleadership is a new term that acknowledges the shared intuition about the existence and consolidation of a new way to exercise political power. However, its boundaries remain to be defined, and the report aims to offer a functional definition that aids in understanding this significant but diffuse political phenomenon globally.

In summary, the CIDOB REPORT #04 provides a comprehensive exploration of hyperleadership, presenting it as a modern adaptation of leadership within democratic frameworks, characterized by personalism, charisma, and responsiveness to urgent societal challenges.