8.03.2009

STATESMAN

(noun): A wise, articulate, essentially non-partisan leader in the conduct of government or public affairs.

"Madeline Albright is one of the outstanding statesmen of our time" is proper and politically correct English so long as "man" is pronounced [mên] and is unaccented (see 'Etymology').

Suggested Usage: We think the term could be used to distinguish between genuine leaders in public affairs and those skilled mostly in the electoral process (politicians). "Charlie is a consummate politician but not much of statesman" would mean that Charlie is better at getting himself elected to office than running the office he is elected to.
Source: YourDictionary