CHARISMA (everything you wanted to know about what Max Weber says on the subject) (1986) (original) (raw)

April 1986. This paper is a systematic reconstruction of what Weber wrote on the topic of “charisma,” gleaned from his far flung references. I have included an appendix on the history of the use of the word to satisfy any concerns one might have concerning its possible relevance--something one cannot know before the research has been done. Although Ido not make anything out of this history, the chance to go beyond the few sentences usually devoted to the topic may be of interest. One may, in fact, want to read this appendix first. The University of Chicago political science department gave doctoral students two options: either do comprehensive exams or write two additional substantial papers. So those who went that route essentially wrote 3 MA theses. And there was a requirement that all three papers be on different subjects using different methods. The document here was what I originally wrote in preparation for my MA thesis. I did end up submitting the paper "Charismatic Political Rule in Max Weber" (available on academia.edu also) but as one of the "Option II" papers. I used another paper for my MA thesis: The Development of Afrikaner Solidarity: 1652–1986 (Nov. 7, 1986). The more 20th century revision of that is on academia.edu. I will post the MA thesis itself sometime soon.