The Emergence and Revival of Charismatic Movements : Argentine Peronism and Venezuelan Chavismo

Political movements founded by charismatic leaders are often considered ephemeral. Existing literature argues that because they rest on unmediated, emotional attachments between leaders and followers, these movements either fade quickly after their leaders disappear or transform into routinized parties. Yet, charismatic movements around the world have proven surprisingly resilient and have retained their personalistic core. Focusing on Argentine Peronism and Venezuelan Chavismo, this book investigates the nature and trajectory of charismatic movements from the perspectives of both leaders and followers. Using interviews, focus groups, and survey experiments, Caitlin Andrews-Lee reveals that charismatic movements can emerge, survive, and become politically revived by sustaining - not discarding - their personalistic character. Followers' charismatic attachments to the movement founder can develop into an enduring, deeply affective political identity that successors can reactivate under certain conditions by portraying themselves as symbolic reincarnations of the founder. Consequently, charismatic movements can have lasting, deleterious effects on democracy. ‘This book is essential and timely. Andrews-Lee masterfully challenges conventional wisdom as she details the capacity of charismatic movements to endure as affective ties that can be reactivated, in some cases, by successors. The work critically enhances research on populism and convincingly warns of the potential for charismatic leadership to plant seeds of democratic erosion.’ Elizabeth J. Zechmeister - Vanderbilt University ‘Charismatic authority is widely recognized to be a vital component of many populist movements, but also one that is difficult to study in a rigorous manner. Caitlin Andrews-Lee tackles this challenge by examining the emergence and revival of charismatic movements in Argentina and Venezuela. This is a much-welcomed contribution to the study of political leadership, one that sheds new light on the factors that make charismatic movements so powerful and resilient in different national settings.’ Kenneth M. Roberts - Cornell University ‘Caitlin Andrews-Lee masterfully applies the theoretical and methodological arsenal of political science to dissect the nature, causes, consequences, and political uses of charismatic leadership. In doing so, she illuminates features of the charismatic movements founded by colonels Juan Perón and Hugo Chávez, as well as the tendency of these populist forces to hinder the formation of programmatic party systems and, ultimately, to undermine democracy.’ Carlos Gervasoni - Universidad Torcuato Di Tella ‘Caitlin Andrews-Lee’s book on the ‘undying’ nature of charisma, the ways that can be re-activated by new political actors after the disappearance of the original leader, and its long-lasting destabilizing effects to institutions and political systems, is a bold, original, and insightful contribution to the field of charisma studies and to the study of democracy itself.’ José Pedro Zúquete - Universidade de Lisboa 01.0_pp_i_ii_The_Emergence_and_Revival_of_Charismatic_Movements 02.0_pp_iii_iii_The_Emergence_and_Revival_of_Charismatic_Movements 03.0_pp_iv_iv_Copyright_page 04.0_pp_v_vi_Dedication 05.0_pp_vii_viii_Contents 06.0_pp_ix_x_Figures 07.0_pp_xi_xii_Tables 08.0_pp_xiii_xvi_Acknowledgments 09.0_pp_1_50_Theoretical_Discussion 09.1_pp_3_22_Introduction 09.2_pp_23_50_A_Theory_of_Charismatic_Movement_Revival 10.0_pp_51_126_The_Demand_Side 10.1_pp_53_75_The_Formation_of_Charismatic_Attachments 10.2_pp_76_100_The_Survival_of_Charismatic_Attachments 10.3_pp_101_126_The_Reactivation_of_Charismatic_Attachments 11.0_pp_127_222_The_Supply_Side 11.1_pp_129_156_The_Politics_of_Succession_in_Charismatic_Movements 11.2_pp_157_196_The_Spasmodic_Trajectories_of_Charismatic_Movements 11.3_pp_197_222_Theoretical_Implications_and_Broader_Conclusions 12.0_pp_223_244_Bibliography 13.0_pp_245_252_Index A Theory Of Charismatic Movement Revival -- The Formation Of Charismatic Attachments -- The Survival Of Charismatic Attachments -- The Reactivation Of Charismatic Attachments -- The Politics Of Succession In Charismatic Movements -- The Spasmodic Trajectories Of Charismatic Movements -- Theoretical Implications And Broader Conclusions. Caitlin Andrews-lee. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Electronic Reproduction. Cambridge Available Via World Wide Web. This book is for scholars, practitioners, and general readers interested in charismatic leadership and its influence on politics, particularly in Latin America. It also provides key insights about two recent global trends: the rise of 'populist' leaders and governments and the erosion of democracy