Political Leadership, Nations and Charisma [Hardcover]

This ground-breaking and innovative book examines the influence of charisma on power, authority and nationalism. The authors both apply and challenge Max Webers concept of charisma and integrate it into a broader discussion of other theoretical models.

Using an interdisciplinary approach, leading international scholars draw on a diverse range of cases to analyse charisma in benign and malignant leaderships, as well as the relationship between the cult of the leader, the adulation of the masses and the extension of individual authority beyond sheer power. They discuss idiosyncratic authority and oratory, and they address how political, social and regional variations help explain concepts and policies which helped forge and reformulate nations, national identities and movements. The chapters on particular charismatic leaders cover Abraham Lincoln, Kemal Atat?rk, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Gamal Nasser, J?rg Haider and Nelson Mandela.

Political Leadership, Nations and Charismawill appeal to readers who are interested in history, sociology, political communication and nationalism studies.

1. Introduction: Webers Concept of Charismatic Domination John Breuilly.  Part I: Nations and Charisma  2. The Charisma of Nations  Anthony D. Smith  3. Charisma and Founding Fatherhood David Martin  4. National Leadership, National Character and Charisma Hedva Ben-Israel  Part II: The Cult of the Leader, The Role of the Masses  5. Charisma and the Cult of the Hero in Risorgimento Italy Lucy Riall  6. Abraham Lincoln: The Apotheosis of a Republican Hero Don H. Doyle  7. Mussolini and Hitler: Charisma, Regime and National Catastrophe MacGregor Knox  8. Nasser and thelóY