The role of the charismatic leader in the emergence of a new society has been frequently commented on from within the studies of sociology and world leadership. The charismatic leader is unique, in the sense that the authority that the leader possesses is largely based on the individual traits of the leader, and his or her ability to maintain support from followers. As a result, the charisma of a leader is many times not enough to ensure a long lasting stabilized society. Max Weber has suggested in his study of leadership and authority, a process known as the routinization of charisma must take place in order for a movement or message to continue. The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of the routinization of charisma and demonstrate how Weber’s concept while vastly important in the understanding of authority and leadership, is to rigid in relation to the potential ends for charisma. By examining the emergence of Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and the Soviet Union, it will be shown that charisma can be repurposed to support an individual. While the transfer of power from Lenin and Stalin can be in part understood within Weber’s concept of charisma, it serves to demonstrate how the routinization of charisma can lead to the development of manufactured charisma and a new charismatic leader.
Because charismatic authority is largely dependent on the validation of others and the time and place of a given society, the influence of charisma in this form is by its very nature only temporary. In Weber’s words, “ It cannot remain stable, but becomes either traditionalized or rationalized or a combination of both.” Therefore, Weber argues that in order for the movement based on charismatic authority to continue in perpetuity, t...
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...uthority and the routinization of charisma. While Weber’s teachings are applicable in many scenarios, the Soviet Union during the time of Lenin and Stalin’s leadership demonstrate that it is not applicable to every scenario. What occurred with regards to Lenin and Stalin, goes completely against what Weber believed were possible ends for charismatic authority. Stalin manipulated and twisted Lenin’s charisma for his own gains until he was able to establish his own charismatic authority. As a result, the Soviet Union went through a transformation that saw the rise of a more ruthless and power hungry leader. This ultimately goes to show that a society first founded on a leader’s charisma can continue long after the leader’s death and without his charisma being used to establish legal-rational or traditional authority, even if this society experiences important changes.
In conclusion, many soviets citizens appeared to believe that Stalin’s positive contributions to the U.S.S.R. far outweigh his monstrous acts. These crimes have been down played by many of Stalin’s successors as they stress his achievements as collectivizer, industrializer, and war leader. Among those citizens who harbor feelings of nostalgia, Stalin’s strength, authority , and achievement contrast sharply with the pain and suffering of post-revolutionary Russia.
Charisma is defined in the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as “a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure” (Merriam-Webster Online). Throughout history successful public speaking is a dominant trait for influential historical figures: persuasive speakers use charisma and charm to capture their audience and spark a difference in society. Political figures use charisma in order to campaign and promote their own political ambitions. Every fourth year a politician is elected President of the United States. Upon taking office, that politician, recites an Inaugural Address addressing his/her plans for the presidency. On Tuesday January 20th 1981, Ronald Reagan, remembered in history as the Great Communicator, recited his highly influential inaugural address on the West Front of the Capitol. Using his charismatic abilities Ronald Reagan recited an influential inaugural address that connected to the average American person. His inaugural address highlighted his own political beliefs and caused the Republican Party to regain its former strength.
When most people hear the name Joseph Stalin, they usually associate the name with a man who was part of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and was responsible for the deaths of millions of people. He was willingly to do anything to improve the power of the Soviet Union’s economy and military, even if it meant executing tens of millions of innocent people (Frankforter, A. Daniel., and W. M. Spellman 655). In chapter three of Sheila Fitzpatrick’s book, Everyday Stalinism, she argues that since citizens believed the propaganda of “a radiant future” (67), they were able to be manipulated by the Party in the transformation of the Soviet Union. This allowed the Soviet government to expand its power, which ultimately was very disastrous for the people.
...atter? The Role of Charisma in Public Leadership." Congress & the Presidency 29 (2002): 25-47.
Stalin’s hunger for power and paranoia impacted the Soviet society severely, having devastating effects on the Communist Party, leaving it weak and shattering the framework of the party, the people of Russia, by stunting the growth of technology and progress through the purges of many educated civilians, as well as affecting The Red Army, a powerful military depleted of it’s force. The impact of the purges, ‘show trials’ and the Terror on Soviet society were rigorously negative. By purging all his challengers and opponents, Stalin created a blanket of fear over the whole society, and therefore, was able to stay in power, creating an empire that he could find more dependable.
The domination of political control must be all encompassing and commands authority from the public and private lives of citizens to the functions of social and economic institutions in order to be distinguished as a totalitarian state. Through the study of Juan Linz, Hannah Arendt and other political philosophers, we are able to define the Soviet Union under Stalin’s control as a true totalitarian regime. The simultaneous components of the center of power surrounding Stalin and his Central Committee, a Stalinist ideology manipulated from Marxist and Leninist philosophy, and the mobilization of the population to participate in collectivization and the Five-Year Plans are parallel to Linz’s three basic characteristics a totalitarian system: a monistic centre of power, an ruling ideology and an active participation of citizens for social tasks. The terror legitimized by this ideology, the propaganda surrounding Stalin’s “personality cult”, the millions of citizens purged in the 1930’s and the constant fear of internal enemies and surveillance by both the secret police and friends and neighbours defines totalitarianism as Arendt’s “novel form of government.” A totalitarian movement reaches deep into every aspect of society with a monopolized power that attempts to control every citizen's thoughts and actions. It spawns from the myth of total unity or as Stalin describes, unity of a “living organism.” The vision of the party members and citizens must completely align with those of the great leader as they are working towards a collective future and while total immersion is expected, surveillance and terror will promise to oust any hidden dissidents. Stalin as a leader functioned ruthlessly and efficiently to develop the Soviet Union ...
...y, and assume the role of a normal and, therefore, effective ruler. After his hardships, disappointments, and self-realization he can understand the need for good reputation, and thus he can complete the list of characteristics necessary for a Machiavellin’s leader.
For the argument of nature being the greatest influence on learning ability, most of the intellectuals and brightest leaders were removed from the gene pool. In contrast to Nurture, these people could not influence society any longer. Through these changes in society, Stalin has forever made his mark. His policies affected every area of Russian culture. Bibliography:..
Joseph Stalin’s decisive and cunning actions facilitated his rise to power and also aided him to uphold that power and maintain control over the Soviet Society. Stalin’s cult of personality helped him achieve a complete totalitarian rule and one that was unobstructed. One of this methods included rewriting the history books portraying him as Lenin’s right-hand man during the Bolshevik revolution, imbuing the people with the thought of him as the heir to Lenin. This was however far from the truth, as Joseph Stalin had covertly covered up Lenin’s testament against Stalin. Lenin was aware that Stalin would rule as a dictator and assert his power at the head of government much like the Czars by employing tactics of fear and propaganda.
In the words of John C. Maxwell, “Leadership is influence”. Stalin was a strict dictator who ruled the Soviet Union for over two decades. He was able to obtain more power by gaining popular support from the citizens of the Soviet Union. Although Stalin forced industrialization on the Soviet Union and caused the worst man-made famine in history, he gained many supporters throughout his time as dictator. Stalin won the support of the Soviets through relentless propaganda, strict censorship, and the imposition of Russian culture unto the Soviet Union.
Years of western propaganda has dehumanised Stalin into a maniacal dictator with no regard to human life. Obviously, this is merely slander; his ruthlessness and brutality are often exaggerated. In fact, this propaganda makes Stalin seem like a cartoonish villain who only wants to gain more power for himself. The question that stands is what was Stalin’s personality really like?
This paper will discuss how Stalin’s background helped build the qualities of a ruthless leader and how he displayed them at the time of his power. His destruction of the citizens’ rights and his failure to maintain his responsibilities as ruler will also be reflected upon throughout this writing.
Weber emphasizes on the idea of power and how it is legitimated, with three basic legitimations of domination, this idea of leadership and power become the belief of man in his writing. “First, the authority of the ‘eternal yesterday’…sanctified through the unimaginably ancient recognition…domination exercised by the patriarch and the patrimonial prince of yore” (54-6). This expression of domination goes way back to the idea of when one ruled, all ruled, and will alway...
To inspire and influence others, a leader must have many skills and abilities. As motivational speaker Jim Rohn, states, “ the challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” (2010) Moving an entire group of individuals toward a singular goal is a considerable undertaking. Without effective communication skills and a clear vision of what needs to be accomplished, one will feel like they are trying to herd cats rather than leading.
Charismatic Power – The ability to influence followers based on the leaders personality. Politicians often use this kind of power to get follower’s to support them.