A detailed and richly illustrated analysis of charisma and the political and cultural conditions in which charismatic figures arise, this work of historical sociology critically engages with Max Weber’s ambiguous concept of charisma to examine the charismatic careers of a number of figures, including Joan of Arc, Hitler and Nelson Mandela, as well as that of Jesus, who, the author contends - in contradistinction to Max Weber - was not a charismatic leader, in spite of his portrayal in Christian theology. Shedding light on the process of charismatic transformation as it occurs within intensely solidaristic groups and the importance of patronage in charismatic careers, the book distinguishes between charismatic rule and charismatic leadership. With close attention to the social and political legacy of charisma for modern capitalism, it also examines the emergence of a global class of the super-rich, a process buttressed by a belief on the part of business leaders in their own charismatic powers. A rigorous examination of the under-researched political process of charisma, the understanding of which remains as important in modern society as in history, Charisma and Patronage will appeal to students and scholars across a range of disciplines, including sociology, history, politics and social geography.

A detailed and richly illustrated analysis of charisma and the political and cultural conditions in which charismatic figures arise, this work of historical sociology critically engages with Max Weber’s ambiguous concept of charisma to examine the charismatic careers of a number of figures, including Joan of Arc, Hitler and Nelson Mandela, as well as that of Jesus, who, the author contends - in contradistinction to Max Weber - was not a charismatic leader, in spite of his portrayal in Christian theology. Shedding light on the process of charismatic transformation as it occurs within intensely solidaristic groups and the importance of patronage in charismatic careers, the book distinguishes between charismatic rule and charismatic leadership. With close attention to the social and political legacy of charisma for modern capitalism, it also examines the emergence of a global class of the super-rich, a process buttressed by a belief on the part of business leaders in their own charismatic powers. A rigorous examination of the under-researched political process of charisma, the understanding of which remains as important in modern society as in history, Charisma and Patronage will appeal to students and scholars across a range of disciplines, including sociology, history, politics and social geography.

The Routledge International Handbook of Charisma provides an unprecedented multidimensional and multidisciplinary comparative analysis of the phenomenon of charisma – first defined by Max Weber as the irrational bond between deified leader and submissive follower. It includes broad overviews of foundational theories and experiences of charisma and of associated key issues and themes. Contributors include 45 influential international scholars who approach the topic from different disciplinary perspectives and utilize examples from an array of historical and cultural settings. The Handbook presents up-to-date, concise, thought-provoking, innovative, and informative perspectives on charisma as it has been expressed in the past and as it continues to be manifested in the contemporary world by leaders ranging from shamans to presidents. It is designed to be essential reading for all students, researchers, and general readers interested in achieving a comprehensive understanding of the power and potential of charismatic authority in all its varieties, subtleties, dynamics, and current and potential directions.

The author states in his preface, "Despite charisma’s growing importance, social science has made little progress in unraveling the enigma of charisma beyond that achieved by Max Weber over half a century ago. The results of the research reported in this book offer what I believe is a new and fruitful understanding of charisma." As Karl H. Pribram says in his Foreword,”Bradley comes off as a superb scientist.” Convinced that the common idea that charisma is mainly the leadership quality of an exceptional individual, Bradley believes that charisma occurs because of the nature and dynamics of certain groups. Much of his research is based on the study of communes in the 1970’s. The results of the research reported in this landmark book offer important insights into our understanding of charisma. The relational forms that provide charisma with its power for radical social transformation within a group, a hierarchy of communion and a hierarchy of power, are what account for the stability of charismatic groups. Evidence suggests a similar interrelationship holds for noncharismatic systems. This book is for sociologists and psychologists and also for researchers, political opinion makers, advertisers, managers and anyone interested in the invisible workings of human power, love and communication.

From a profoundly influential social theorist comes a posthumously published analysis of the deepest level of crisis in our culture. “A compelling diagnosis of our condition.” —The Wall Street Journal According to Rieff, the contemporary notion of charisma—the personal magnetism of political leaders or movie stars—is a tragic misunderstanding of a profoundly important concept. Charisma originally meant religious grace and authority transferred through divine inspiration, before it evolved into little more than a form of celebrity stripped of moral considerations. Rieff argues that without morality, the gift of grace becomes indistinguishable from the gift of evil and devolves into a license to destroy in the name of faith or ideology. Offering brilliant interpretations of Kierkegaard, Weber, Kafka, Nietzsche, and Freud, Rieff shows how certain thinkers attacked the very possibility of faith and genuine charisma and helped prepare the way for a therapeutic culture in which it is impossible to recognize anything as sacred.

This book traces the history of the word 'charisma', and the various meanings assigned to it, from its first century origins in Christian theology to its manifestations in twenty-first century politics and culture, while considering how much of the word's original religious meaning persists in the contemporary secular understanding.

The goal of this dissertation is to engage in a comprehensive and systematic examination of the writings of Ignatius of Antioch on the subject of episcopal leadership. Working on the premise that the episcopacy is both an historical and a social phenomenon in the early church this study will attempt to combine historical and social-science methods of investigation. A review of 20th century scholarly work on the Ignatian correspondence will provide a point of departure for this work. In particular three issues raised by contemporary scholarship will be addressed. (1) With respect to the question of the historical plausibility of Ignatius' views on episcopal leadership, this study will seek to understand how his concept of the episcopacy fits into early 2nd century Christianity as it was developing in Syria. An examination of Matthew, the Didache, the Johannine Gospel and Epistles, and the Gospel of Thomas will be the basis of a reconstruction of leadership trends that are roughly contemporary with Ignatius. A comparison of these texts with the Syrian bishop's writings will show that his views seem to be partially rooted in developments that were preserved by the writers of the Didache and the Johannine texts. (2) Ignatius' notions about episcopal leadership also reflect hierarchical social arrangements that were prevalent in the Greco-Roman households which formed the immediate social context of the early church. Patronage was the means by which patriarchal authority was extended beyond the household into economic, political and religious relationships. The patron-broker-client model of social organization will be presented as an unconscious emic model shaping the way many early Christian writers, including Ignatius, understood and expressed the relationship between God and humans, and between church leaders and their congregations. (3) Weber's typology of authority, together with his work on the routinization of charisma, will be employed as an etic model to classify and compare the different leadership preferences displayed in the early Christian texts under review. This analysis will show that Ignatius' own personal authority was of the charismatic type deriving from his liminal position as a martyr-elect. He argues that bishops are chosen by the Holy Spirit to occupy an office which clothes them with "grace" and with spiritual gifts. These arguments point to a conception of episcopal authority that may be described etically as being of the routinized charismatic type. In this respect Ignatius moves beyond, and in a somewhat different direction than other early Syrian Christian writers.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Charisma, Medieval and Modern" that was published in Religions

Most everyone has something they are passionate about. But without the ability to actually effect change, things just stay the same. To truly inspire change, we must be able to explain the problem, inspire people to join us, and create a vision for the new reality that motivates others to take the actions that lead to lasting transformation. Inspiring change requires charisma—the ability to communicate a clear, visionary, and inspirational message that captivates and motivates an audience. Charisma, a social skill, like listening, can be learned. Once learned, it becomes the difference between being heard or ignored. Whether you’re the head of a company, a Girl Scout troop leader, or a freelance artist all alone in your studio, charisma can help you get what you want.