A charismatic leader is a person who enjoys a certain authority in the eyes of others. His rule is not supported by the masses due to intimidation, but on the basis of personal convictions, confidence in "God's chosen people."
More details about what a "charismatic leader" means (definition, phenomenon, how it manifests, and much more) will be discussed in this article.
The concept of charisma
From the very beginning of the existence of mankind, there were leaders in society who were able not only to show the way, but also to lead. Even during periods of severe deprivation, their followers did not hesitate for a minute, and endlessly believed their leader, emperor or king.
This phenomenon was called “charisma, ” and a person with such qualities was called a charismatic leader. The word itself in translation means “God's gift”, and indeed, this phenomenon is considered by many researchers to be a combination of supernatural, or at least superhuman abilities. Initially, this term was applied only to rulers or military leaders, but starting from the middle of the last century, they began to call almost any person who stood out from the crowd, and often not personal qualities, but success, appearance or self-promotion. What the charismatic leader means will be discussed in this article.
The concept of "charismatic leader" in sociology
The concept of “charismatic leader” was introduced into sociology by the German professor of theology and culture, Ernst Tölcz. Subsequently, this term was developed by the German sociologist Max Weber, who formulated a classical definition for it and gave impetus to a comprehensive study of this phenomenon. Some modern scholars suggest giving this definition a much narrower concept to exclude from the general series such categorically different personalities as, for example, the prophet Moses and Hitler, Gandhi and Genghis Khan.
From the point of view of the Weberian concept, the phenomenon of charisma cannot be good or evil, virtuous or immoral. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the qualities and activities of such a leader cannot be evaluated by universal criteria. Thus, many scientists, to remove uncertainty, use a different definition, which more clearly allows you to clarify the concept of "charismatic leader." He introduced sociology into the refined term, George Barnes, who believes that in most cases it is more appropriate to use the concept of “heroic leader” with respect to outstanding personalities.
Charismatic Leaders in Human History
History has preserved for us many examples of those who can be called a charismatic leader. First of all, these are the famous commanders and rulers: Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Napoleon. In the twentieth century, such figures are much more known, and today almost every leader of a successful company or social movement claims this role. The study of this phenomenon is accompanied by certain difficulties. Of course, this is because science needs an “ideal” definition of a particular concept, but there is no way to idealize and even systematize personalities directly. A charismatic leader is such an extraordinary figure that it is practically unrealistic to get an unambiguous answer to the question of whether this or that leader was such. In addition, such a person always appears in crisis conditions, and it is at a turning point in events, and it is not always possible to understand exactly whether his appearance positively or negatively determined their course.
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
Who can be called a charismatic leader in Soviet history? A typical example of such a leader is V. I. Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik party, the leader and leader of the socialist revolution in Russia. Indeed, according to contemporaries and members of the same party, Lenin among political figures stood out by being the only one whom they believed and followed him without any reservations. In addition, Lenin, a charismatic leader, really possessed the ability to explain complex economic as well as ideological issues to vast uneducated masses. He was listened spellbound, holding his breath, and it should be remembered that this was the beginning of the twentieth century, and the speaker simply did not have any serious technical means except his own voice.
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin
Joseph Stalin is a charismatic leader, the father of the people, the creator of the most unusual and almost fantastic state of all ever known. Assessment of Stalin's personality is almost always ambiguous, and often biased. Undoubtedly, this ruler had a unique ability to destroy his enemies, who most often were enemies of the state. Most of his charisma and deification among his fans, of course, are not purely leadership qualities (although he possessed them to the full) - but a sense of fear that he could and could inconceivate even today.
Many researchers are not inclined to consider Stalin a pure charismatic leader, although it is worth recognizing that his fans and followers were ready for the sake of their leader to sacrifice in the truest sense of the word. Ordinary soldiers went on the attack with his name, which in itself is a rather rare occurrence. Usually the followers in these cases were content with the idea (for example, freedom) or a specific concept of the homeland, their own country.
Charles de Gaulle
An example of a natural leader is Charles de Gaulle, whose activities still have a significant impact on European political life. The president himself repeatedly addressed the concept of charisma and was a supporter of the idea that a strong human personality has a much greater influence on the course of history than is commonly believed. Moreover, the president, who, after two brutal world wars, managed to bring France to prosperity and the role of one of the leading world powers, believed that popular love was supported by a kind of “miracle effect”, constant success in everything, testifying that this particular person is “ the legitimate son of heaven. " As soon as this divine gift disappears, ceases to be supported by deed, the faith of the followers also disappears.
Moreover, the charismatic leader de Gaulle repeatedly emphasizes in his book The Edge of the Sword that even the nomination of a national leader in crisis situations is not at all based on a choice among the available political figures. The people's leader appears, as if ordered by a "mighty wave, " and the general completely denied historical fatalism, calling it an idea for cowards.
Adolf Gitler
Undoubtedly, Adolf Hitler is rightfully the most striking example of the charismatic personality of the twentieth century. For many centuries, Germany, like a Phoenix bird, burned out in a series of endless wars in the center of Europe, then rebelled again, often more powerful than before. The Führer managed to give his people a truly mystical idea. Hitler is a charismatic leader who has managed to convince the vast majority of not only followers, but also ordinary citizens that they, the Aryans, are a race that is superior to everyone else. This idea was able to rally German society so much that for some time it posed a threat to humanity on a virtually global scale.
Now it is customary to portray Hitler as a bunch of dark energy, which in a completely fantastic way managed to bring its ideas to the masses of people, and inclined them to mass madness with almost hypnosis. However, it is not. Many contemporaries characterize the German Fuhrer, how far "not a simple man." In addition, it must be understood that it was supported not only by the masses of the middle class, or the poor - but also by the enlightened, as well as the wealthy sections of society, and not only in Germany. Could they go after the madman? Most likely no. Of course, Hitler used all conceivable and inconceivable possibilities to create his energy. For example, he positioned himself as a simple brave soldier of the First World War, and more than once proved this in practice. He studied oratory with the best actors of his time. He was constantly looking for ways to draw closer to his own people, wanting to know the thoughts and moods of not just society, but literally everyone. Together with Hitler's fanatical conviction of his own rightness, this gave such an effect that many fans of the Führer never doubted either him or his ideas or intentions.
Factors of occurrence of the phenomenon
Studying the phenomenon of the emergence of this type of personality is a question that actually stands at the forefront of studying the influence of an individual on the historical process. However, despite a huge amount of research, for the scientists themselves the very phenomenon of the charismatic leader has become a "stumbling block." Scientists, political scientists and sociologists recognize that the very mechanism of its occurrence is not fully understood. Undoubtedly, both innate and acquired human skills play a role here, but it is often impossible to understand which particular set of qualities will really create the necessary energy for him. Moreover, scientific research is often not aimed at studying the personality itself, but is more biased towards the consideration of certain positive or negative actions and circumstances of the formation of such a leader. In general, three factors can be distinguished due to which a charismatic leader appears.
1. The crisis. It can be political, economic, social crises, military failures and so on, in all their manifestations and interweaving. The onset of the decline of the state is a serious test for society. People can respond in many ways. For example, they may experience an increase in horror before the physical destruction of society, they may be afraid of losing their group or class affiliation, or simply feel imaginary pain with the loss of ordinary life values and rituals. Naturally, in such circumstances, a person is inclined to trust and follow those who know exactly what to do - a leader who already has many supporters, and who has repeatedly proved his charisma and God's chosen people.
2. The second serious factor that determines the emergence of a charismatic leader is cultural and social legitimation, when a large part of society recognizes the legitimacy of the emergence of an often unofficial leader.
3. The third factor is political assistance not only among the masses of the population, but also among parties, their leaders, as well as representatives of official government bodies.
Now the fourth factor is gaining in strength, which previously, if they paid attention, is insignificant. This is the reliance of the charismatic leader on the media. It can be said that the media played a huge role in the formation of all political leaders over the past 100 years, and in today's realities, the support force of a particular person in the information field is paramount.
Charismatic Leader Characteristics
Leaders of this type often need a whole set of characteristics. The most basic of them:
- Awareness and promotion of its exclusive role and mission aimed at radical transformation, in the name of changing or saving society. This usually requires a foresight of the development of events, and often a reform plan or program.
- Personal attractiveness, which does not necessarily consist in possessing an attractive appearance. Often, on the contrary, a charismatic leader is a person from the mass who resembles a layman, and at the same time may have a certain flaw. However, it is undoubted that such a leader is simply obliged to possess a certain brutality - without this quality it is impossible to become a hero. Women leaders such as Jeanne Dark or Margaret Thatcher were more courageous in the eyes and memories of contemporaries than most men of their time.
- The sacrifice and struggle of the most charismatic leader usually comes first. The ability to sacrifice and win in a constant struggle with circumstances and opponents is an important factor for fans with followers.
- Identity Goals. According to many researchers, the most recognized leader is the one who managed to suggest that his goals most closely match the needs of society.
- The presence of a powerful enemy. Despite the fact that the leader always stands for unification, an important part in his actions is the search, identification and struggle with the enemy. Sometimes it is extremely dangerous, and sometimes even does not exist in reality, or even abstract concepts can act as an enemy.
- A huge role is played by the activity of supporters. Often the leader does not even rely on the organization or some kind of management institution. Sometimes he expects that his supporters will independently take the situation into their own hands, which is often justified, and followers can be much more radical than their leader.
