Sociology of Charisma – Is Charisma Real?

Sociology of charisma is an intriguing topic to explore. Author Randall Collins explores different types of charisma in people. He also shows how charisma develops in different cultures. So what is charisma, and how does it differ from our own? Ultimately, the answer to these questions may surprise you. Read on to discover more. Despite its controversial nature, charisma is an extremely useful tool for social workers and businesspeople alike. But is it real? What can we do to tap into this power?

The theory of charisma has been criticized for its narrow view. Rather than considering charisma as a legitimate form of domination, it is better understood as a more complex phenomenon. Though the concept is still debated, some researchers have argued that charisma is more than a mere reference to a favorite child. While Weber’s original theory of charisma was influential, some authors have since revised and developed it. In this article, we consider the trends of theories about charisma after Economy and Society.

According to Weber, charismatic authority is not attributed to a leader’s personal character traits, but rather developed from the relationship between a charismatic leader and his followers. Consequently, Weber argued that the validity of charisma rests on the recognition of a charismatic leader by certain followers, and the sense of duty that these followers have to the leader. The question is: does charisma exist in the real world?

In short, charisma is the power to inspire crowds to respond to an exceptional quality. It is a force that isn’t useful in drawn-out conflicts, but rather has a home base among enthusiastic crowds. Gorbachev’s popularity shot up in the 1980s Soviet reform movement, but faded after he was overtaken by political events. In fact, charisma is so powerful that even Jesus had to be born with it, but he’s not the only person who had charisma.

The “cast the first stone” incident shows a charismatic leader taking apart an angry crowd and forcing them to consult their consciences. In the temple courts, Jesus is able to handle hostile questioning from the crowd as well as an enemy hierarchy. In this way, charismatic leadership transcends the priestly administration. In both cases, charismatic experiences are experienced in the present, with the crowd, and in the long-distance coordination of organization.

Charismatic leaders are a form of social phenomenon, fueled by their followers. Whether they are religious leaders, business leaders, or artists, charismatic leaders live on the energy of a crowd. The leader-crowd relationship is a loop. The leader’s emotional intensity is fed by the crowd’s rhythmic coherence. Charisma is like a high-amp electrical current, and is what the Bible calls the holy spirit.

Charismatic leadership is revolutionary, but unstable. Weber borrows the word charisma from the religious world to use it for secular purposes. Such leaders are perceived to possess a direct connection to divine power, and exceptional skills. This charisma makes them seem to possess exceptional skills and promise a better future for society. Ultimately, charismatic leaders’ authority deteriorates when they fail to produce the desired changes or face contradictory logic.