CHARISMA
Charismatic authority is a leader that emerges in a time of great need, desperation, and change in the state. According to Weber, charisma is applied to an established quality of an individual's personality. In essence, society, in general, must believe that this exemplary person has exceptional characteristics, conditions that qualify him/her as a charismatic leader.
Who attributes these charismatic qualities in an individual? Is it the followers who assign such values? The traits are created by those who are subjected to authority. Its followers make a leader. Charisma has to be recognized. Charisma is a mutual relationship between the leader and its followers. As the relationship is established it needs to be acknowledged that the supporters are seen as the leader's promoters. The leader fosters excitement in them, therefore, creating a community of believers.
Weber believes that charisma can be withdrawn. Weber concluded that if the proof of success alludes the leader for too long, it is very likely that the charismatic authority will be revoked. It is the fundamental right of the devotees to withdraw its support. If the charismatic leader does not produce what he intended, then the recognition of charisma is vacated. The leader unable to follow through with his promises eventually becomes an ordinary person. The virtues that were imposed on the leader by its followers must be coherent with the needs of the people. If the charismatic leader does not accomplish what he said out to do the needs of the people are not being met.
The need for survival in individuals will bring upon desperation. Desperation prompts the majority to seek a charismatic leader elsewhere if the previous leader faltered. Resolutions are aimed at problems that followers believe are unresolvable. As a result, a new charismatic leader will come and will promise that he can solve the issue because of his remarkable characteristics.
In recent history, charismatic leaders such as Fidel Castro established such features. In the 1960's Cuban society was in desperate need for change and Fidel Castro appealed. "Compañeros obreros y campesinos, esta es la Revolución socialista y democrática de los humildes, con los humildes y para los humildes. Y por esta Revolución de los humildes, por los humildes y para los humildes estamos dispuestos a dar la vida." To further his appeal Castro, in 1965, sent fellow revolutionary Che Guevara to organize revolutionary movements in other Latin American countries. Before he left, Che wrote Castro a farewell letter -- and in what would be a memorable moment for the revolution, Castro read Che's message in public.
"On new battlefields," Che wrote, "I will carry with me the faith that you inculcated in me, the revolutionary spirit of my people, the feeling of having fulfilled the most sacred of duties: to fight against Imperialism wherever it may be." Castro was just young, attractive, very charismatic and refreshing, as opposed to the traditional stereotype of the Latin American leftist at the time.
Weber identifies followers of a charismatic leader bound together by emotional ties that subsequently generates an appeal in the community binding them. In charismatic political campaigns, there is an urgency to establish a community surrounding oneself with individuals who maintain the same ideals. The emotions that fasten a community must create a sense of enthusiasm that must emerge not only from the leader but the follower as well. This enthusiasm is provoked by despair. Communist charismatic leaders such as Lenin, Mao and Castro emerged due to a need for change. A leader will bring change, but with that change, new rules will be implemented. It creates uncertainty. The followers institute their faith in these charismatic leaders unaware of what will transpire after their aim is resolved. Mao and Lenin established rules. Mao had a plan and strategy to help China and the Chinese recover from the “century of humiliation” where the western powers and Japan walked all over China. Mao was much more convincing in his narrative than the Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek, and when he came to power in 1949 with the establishment of the People’s Republic, the Chinese Communist Party was also widely perceived as being much less corrupt. Mao's established image as a leader with the Chinese people was due to his personal qualities. His appeal was relatable. Mao's origins and mentality forged an interpersonal relationship with the peasants who constituted the majority who were also distant.
Charismatic leadership, therefore, is found in a leader with extraordinary characteristics in an individual, whose mission and vision inspire others. In such, this charismatic leader is seen as the head of any social or political movement. However, charismatic leadership is considered unstable as it is related to faith and belief; once these fade, the authority and leadership dissolve.
Weber, Max, and Shmuel Noah. Eisenstadt. Max Weber on Charisma and Institution Building: Selected Papers. The University of Chicago Press, 2013.