Charisma and patronage : a dialogue with Max Weber

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 WeberOCOs ambiguous concept of charisma to examine the charismatic careers of a number of figures, including Joan of Arc, Hitler, Nelson Mandela and Jesus. 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." Max Weber And The Problem Of Charisma -- Jesus, Christ And The Mythology Of Charisma -- Utopian Communities, Charisma And Moral Despotism -- Charisma As A Career -- Joan Of Arc: A Case Of Subordinate Charisma -- Hitler's Charisma: The Worst Case Scenario And The Paradigmatic Case -- Nelson Mandela: Charismatic Agent Of Passive Revolution -- Crises Within Us Capitalism And The Search For Corporate Charismatic Leadership -- Patronage And Political Charisma. Andrew D. Mcculloch. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 221-230) And Index. Content: Max Weber and the problem of charisma -- Jesus, Christ and the mythology of charisma -- Utopian communities, charisma and moral despotism -- Charisma as a "career" -- Joan of Arc: a case of subordinate charisma -- Hitler's charisma: the worst case scenario and the paradigmatic case -- Nelson Mandela: charismatic agent of passive revolution -- Crises within US capitalism and the search for corporate charismatic leadership -- Patronage and political charisma.

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