Charismatic leader: definition, characteristics. Who can be called a charismatic leader? Who introduced the concept of "charismatic leader" into sociology? The charismati

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

A charismatic leader is a person who enjoys a certain authority in the eyes of others. His rule is supported by the masses not through 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 itself 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 could not only show the way, but also lead. Even during periods of severe hardship, their followers did not hesitate for a moment, and endlessly believed in their leader, emperor or king.

This phenomenon was called "charisma", and a person with such qualities began to be called a charismatic leader. The word itself in translation means "gift of God", and indeed, this phenomenon is considered by many researchersa combination of supernatural, or at least superhuman abilities. Initially, this term was used only in relation to rulers or military leaders, but since the middle of the last century, almost any person who stands out from the crowd has been called this way, and often not by personal qualities, but by success, appearance or self-promotion. What a 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 Troelch. Subsequently, this term was developed by the German sociologist Max Weber, who formulated the classical definition for it and gave impetus to a comprehensive study of this phenomenon. Some modern researchers propose to give this definition a much narrower concept in order 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 Weber's concept, the phenomenon of charisma cannot be good or evil, virtuous or immoral. However, this does not mean that the qualities and activities of such a leader cannot be assessed according to universal criteria. Thus, many scientists, in order to remove uncertainty, use a different definition, which more clearly allows us to clarify the concept of "charismatic leader". Introduced a refined term into sociology, George Barnes, who believes that in most cases, in relation to outstanding personalities, it is more appropriate to apply the concept of "heroic leader".

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 famous commanders and rulers: Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Napoleon. In the 20th century, much more such figures are 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 happens because science needs an “ideal” definition of a particular concept, but there is no possibility to idealize and even systematize personalities directly. A charismatic leader is such an extraordinary figure that it is practically impossible 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 precisely 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, leader and leader of the socialist revolution in Russia. Indeed, according to contemporaries and members of the same party, Lenin stood out among politicians in that he was the only one who was believed and followed him without any reservations. In addition, Lenin, a charismatic leader, really possessedthe ability to explain complex economic as well as ideological issues to the vast uneducated masses. They listened to him spellbound, with bated 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 for 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 ever known. The assessment of Stalin's personality is almost always ambiguous, and often biased. Undoubtedly, this ruler had a unique ability to destroy his enemies, who were most often enemies of the state. Most of his charisma and idolization among his fans, of course, is not purely leadership qualities (although he possessed them to the fullest) but a sense of fear, which he inexplicably could and can inspire 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 self-sacrifice in the truest sense of the word for their leader. Ordinary soldiers went on the attack with his name, which in itself is a rather rare occurrence. Usually followers in these cases were content with the idea (for example, freedom) or a specific concept of the Motherland, their own country.

Charles de Gaulle

An example of a natural leader is Charles de Gaulle, whose activities still have a significant impact onEuropean political life. The president himself repeatedly referred to the concept of charisma and was an adherent 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 cruel world wars, managed to lead France to prosperity and to the role of one of the leading world powers, believed that people's love is supported by a kind of "miracle effect", a constant success in everything, indicating that this particular person is " legitimate son of heaven. As soon as this divine gift disappears, ceases to be supported by deeds, the faith of the followers also disappears.

Moreover, the charismatic leader de Gaulle in his book "On the Edge of the Sword" repeatedly emphasizes 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 at the behest of a "powerful wave", and the general completely denied historical fatalism, calling it an idea for cowards.

Adolf Hitler

Undoubtedly, Adolf Hitler is rightfully the most striking example of a charismatic personality of the twentieth century. For many centuries, Germany, like a Phoenix bird, either burned down in a series of endless wars in the center of Europe, then rose again, often more powerful than it was before. The Fuhrer managed to give his people a truly mystical idea. Hitler is a charismatic leader who managed to convince the vast majority of not only followers, but also ordinarycitizens in that they, the Aryans, are a race head and shoulders above all others. This idea managed to unite German society so much that for some time it posed a threat to humanity on an actually planetary scale.

Now it is customary to portray Hitler as a kind of clot of dark energy, who in an absolutely fantastic way managed to bring his ideas to the masses of people, and inclined them to mass madness almost by hypnosis. However, it is not. Many contemporaries characterize the German Fuhrer as far from being "not an ordinary person." In addition, it must be understood that it was supported not just by the masses of the middle class, or the poor - but also by the enlightened, as well as the rich sections of society, and not only in Germany. Could they follow the madman? Most probably not. Of course, Hitler used every conceivable and unimaginable possibility to create his own energy. For example, he positioned himself as a simple brave soldier of the First World War, and proved this more than once in practice. He learned to orate from the best actors of his time. He was constantly looking for ways to get closer to his own people, wanting to know the thoughts and moods of not just society, but literally everyone. Coupled with Hitler's fanatical conviction that he was right, this had such an effect that many Fuhrer fans never doubted either himself or his ideas or intentions.

Factors 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 individualman to the historical process. However, despite the huge amount of research, for the scientists themselves, it is the very phenomenon of a charismatic leader that has become a “stumbling block”. Scientists, political scientists and sociologists admit that the very mechanism of its occurrence is not fully understood. Undoubtedly, both innate and acquired skills of a person play a role here, but it is often impossible to understand what 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, there are three factors that make a charismatic leader appear.

1. A 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 react in many ways. For example, they may experience an increase in horror before the physical destruction of society, they may experience fear of losing their group or class affiliation, or simply feel imaginary pain with the loss of ordinary life values and rituals. Naturally, in such conditions, a person is inclined to trust and follow someone who knows exactly what to do - a leader who already has numerous supporters, and who has repeatedly proven his charisma and God's chosen people.

2. The second major factor predetermining the occurrencea 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 state bodies.

Now the fourth factor is gaining more and more power, which, if paid attention to earlier, is insignificant. This is the support of the charismatic leader on the media. We can say that the media have played a huge role in the development of all political leaders over the past 100 years, and in today's realities, the power of supporting a particular person in the information field is paramount.

A characteristic of a charismatic leader

Leaders of this type often need a whole set of characteristics. The most basic ones are:

1. Awareness and promotion of its exceptional role and mission aimed at radical transformation in the name of changing or saving society. This usually requires foresight and often a reform plan or program.
2. Personal attractiveness, which does not necessarily consist in having an attractive appearance. Often, on the contrary, a charismatic leader is a person from the masses, similar to the layman, while he may have a certain flaw. However, there is no doubt that such a leader simply must have a certain brutality - without this quality it is impossiblebecome a hero. Women leaders like Jeanne dArc or Margaret Thatcher were more masculine in the eyes and memories of their contemporaries than most men of their time.
3. Sacrifice and struggle for the most charismatic leader usually comes first. The ability to sacrifice and win in the constant struggle with circumstances and opponents is an important factor for fans and followers.
4. Identity of goals. According to many researchers, the most recognized leader is the one who managed to inspire that his goals most closely match the needs of society.
5. The presence of a powerful enemy. Despite the fact that the leader always stands for unification, an important part of his actions is the search, identification and fight against the enemy. Sometimes it is extremely dangerous, and sometimes it does not even exist in reality, or even abstract concepts can act as an enemy.
6. Activity of supporters plays a huge role. Often the leader does not even rely on an organization or some kind of management institution. Sometimes he counts on his supporters to take matters into their own hands, which is often justified, and followers may turn out to be much more radical than their leader.

Charismatic leaders of today

Modern charismatic leaders in most cases do not rely on the support of people - more and more often the main factor is the promotion of the individual through the information field, that is, through the media. Behind an arbitrarily attractive image can be gray and nothingan unremarkable personality, sometimes incapable of independent action.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky can be cited as an example of a modern "television" leader in Russia. In fact, he cannot influence any political decision, he does not have sincere, fanatical admirers capable of going to his death with him. However, Zhirinovsky, thanks to his excellent acting qualities, has a certain energy of a leader.

The second undoubted charismatic leader is the current president of Russia, Vladimir Putin. Despite the existence of problems in the economic and political life of the state, its actions are mostly supported by the masses. Putin, in fact, does not have the full range of qualities characteristic of this type. For example, he does not have oratorical qualities. Despite the absence of the characteristic features of a people's leader, this person continues to be popular with the country's population.

Among the living, the most striking example of a "pure" charismatic leader is Fidel Castro. A fiery revolutionary, a brilliant orator, a successful military leader with an invariable Havana cigar in his mouth, he acquired his still unshakable authority precisely thanks to his personal qualities. He not only won the respect and worship of his people, he achieved the complete independence of Cuba. His name is known in all corners of the globe, the history of his life is surrounded by a halo of honor, for many years he really wisely ruled his country. Many regard his rule as a dictatorship, but it shouldremember that it is this form of governance that is characteristic of charismatics, who often do not recognize any parallel rivalry.

Fidel Castro - the organizer of numerous uprisings and revolutions, he personally took part in the battles, survived 638 assassination attempts. Third in the history of mankind for the duration of the reign, twice included in the Guinness Book of Records, Fidel Castro "risks" ending his life not like most "heroic leaders" - on a cross or a fire, from poison or in gloomy loneliness - but in his own bed, surrounded numerous relatives, a huge number of admirers and followers.