ADDITION
УДК 316.46.058.000.32
V.Zorik (Kharkiv)
Charismatic leadership
The problem of charisma is closely tied with the problem of authority, political management, political leadership. In the article are examined some aspects of charismatic personality. Examined problems will be interesting and useful for students and all, who studies sociology and political life of the society.
Key words:leader,personality,sociology,conception,society,politics,authority.
Зорик В. ХАРИЗМАТИЧНЕ ЛІДЕРСТВО. Проблема харизми перебуває у тісному взаємозв’язку з проблемами влади, політичного панства, політичного лідерства. В статті розглянуто деякі аспекти харизматичної особи. Проблеми які розглянуто будуть цікавими і корисними для студентів і всіх, хто вивчає соціологію і політичне життя суспільства.
Ключові слова:лідер,особистість,соціологія,концепція,суспільство,політика,влада.
Зорик В. ХАРИЗМАТИЧЕСКОЕ ЛИДЕРСТВО. Проблема харизмы находится в тесной святи с проблемой власти,политического руководства,политического лідерства.В статье рассмотрены некоторые аспекты харизматичной личности.Рассмотренные проблемы будут интересными и полезными студентам и всем,кто изучает соціологію и политическую жизнь общества.
Ключевые слова:лидер,личность,социология,концепция,общество,политика,власть.
Topical character of the problem in general form.
One of the outstanding representatives of the scientific community at the end of the XIX century- beginning of the XX century Maximilian Carl Emil "Max" Weber introduced the significant contribution to the formation and the development of sociopolitical sciences. Weber was, along with his associate Georg Simmel, a central figure in the establishment of methodological antipositivism; presenting sociology as a non-empirical field which must study social action through resolutely subjective means. He is typically cited, with Émile Durkheim and Karl Marx, as one of the three principal architects of modern social science, and has variously been described as the most important classic thinker in the social sciences. His in-depth research of the history of society in general, the problems of the essence of the society, origin, forms and legitimacy of authority, made it possible to thoroughly base the classification of many forms of political dominance. In the process of examination Weber gave characteristic of the type of charismatic supremacy.
Account of the main research material.
Concept “charisma” (Greek. - favor, God’s gift) plays in Weber’s sociology important role. Its introduction to scientific lexicon was connected with the determination of a question about the typology of authority. The personality, which uses because of the certain exceptional qualities special authority, it was decided to call charismatic. It managed extraodinary abilities - salient force of will and spirit and could possess intermediary nature, military courage, prophetic or magic qualities, etc. Charisma, in the opinion of german scientist ,was was inherent to outstanding polical leaders, heroes, magicians, prophets, seers, founders of world religions (Buddha,JesusChrist, Mohammed), the creators of the states (Solon, Lycurgus), great commanders and conquerors (Alexander The Great, Caesar, Napoleon). [1]
The problem of charisma was located in the close interrelation with the problems of authority, political administration and leadership. Charisma required not only the development of the special personal qualities of leader, but also the determination of support,sacrifice from the side of his followers. Specifically in this Weber saw “charismatic element of any leadership”, one of its motive power. [2]
Charismatic leadership, according to his concept, had personal nature, it was built on the emotional basis, played in the specific stage innovative role, but as a whole it bore the nature of transitional phenomenon, which in the course of time became routine. Praising itself of similar leaders was determined by such significant factors as the level of the political culture of society, the educational qualification of voters, the presence or the absence of democratic traditions, the level of the aggravation of social and political contradictions in the society etc. Daily life required the joint efforts of leader and first of all of his environment that influenced the formation of leader’s charisma, the substantiation of the legitimacy of his authority. The interest of environment, followers and adherents of leader (or the staff of control) in the material reward or the social praising, the threat of the loss of these privilege was the basis of strengthening their solidary actions with the ruler for the retention of charisma of the latter, strengthening of his authority, his personal power.
The theoretical conclusions of Max Weber,his approaches to the study of the problem of political supremacy and charismatic leadership underwent in 60-70 years of the XX century to the bitter criticism on the cross-road of scientific discussions. As a result western sociology granted many versions of the concepts of charismatic leadership. Among them - the concept of charismatic authority(Max Weber and his followers), the concept of the need for the leader depending on concrete social and political structure factors, but not from his personal qualities, endowment or beliefs (Galvano Della Volpe, A. Schlesinger); the concept of separation of charisma from the typology of authority, which limited the sphere of the application of Weber’s theory by the framework of religion and religious history (C. Friedrich) or, on the contrary, expanding and extolling relative to the level of any leadership (Edward Shils,Pierre Bourdieu); the concept, which accentuates attention only in some special features of charismatic leadership, possibility of application it only for the comprehension of the essence of political processes in the countries, which are in process of development(D.Apter). [3]
Contemporary world underwent substantial changes under the effect of the scientific and technical revolution. This concerns the economy, policy, ideology and all other spheres, all structures of the public life and a man himself as object and subject of political action. Ever increasing process of qualitative changes in the basics of civilization and social nature of social relations in a new way raised the question of charismatic leadership. Charismatic person, leader, elite are definitions close ones in its sounding and essence, but distant from the uniformity.
The problem of political leadership, which is very thoroughly researched by sciences of politilogy and sociology and includes concept, essence, classification and functions, makes it possible to make a whole series of conclusions.
Charismatic leadership, together with the traditional,the rational and the lawful, is component part, one of the branches of political leadership. It ever more becomes the historic-politological and scientific category,rather than practical one. The phenomenon of leadership remains, because it is placed in very nature of man and society. However, such determining factors which form charisma as the great authority of leader, his competence, purposefulness, outstanding organizational abilities, readiness to take for themselves responsibility, skillful use of wide support, they have their nearest adherents and they considered determining features of any most authoritative, influential, knowing the matter leader or salient personality.
At the same time, in the process of the formation of charisma the personal qualities of leader sometimes do not play what either significant role or move aside to the second plan. Designing for the emotional support of masses, their habit to the subjugation, relying on demagogic effect of the personality of leader, his environment and also media in every way possible contribute to strengthening the image of their idol, supporting it by its own efficient levers. This acknowledgement and the support of followers, what is the necessary condition of charisma, in the heavy social and economic and political situation of transitional or crisis period can lead to the authority of populism and demagogue. By the price of advances with the masses, the advancement of unreal calls and empty promises, attaining popularity by any price, this “charismatic leader” tries to use all practical, normative and forced measures in order to fasten its own positions.
This is why the boundary between real charisma and demagogy, which must be insurmountable, can prove to be mobile.
The concept of charisma and charismatic leader, who would have intellectual talents, feeling of responsibility, professionalism relative to problems of government, skill to present and to express the interests of people, the profession of legality, adherence to the selected ideals, etc, should be considered reaching history, sphere of scientific research of contemporary society.
Bibliography
1. Weber M. The selected works,M.,1990,p.27
2. Weber M., The selected works,M.,1990, p.675
3. Political theory and political practice dictionary-handbook.M.,1994,p.302
4. Weber M. The Three Types of Legitimate Rule (translation - 1958)
5. Shils E. Theories of Society: Foundations of Modern Sociological Theory, Two Volumes in One, New York: The Free Press (1961)
6. Weber M. On Charisma and Institution Building (translation - 1994)
7. Bourdieu, P. and L.J.D. Wacquant. 1992. An Invitation to Reflexive Sociology. Chicago and London: Univ of Chicago Press. p. 97.
© Зорик В., 2010