Charisma

Thomas Robbins wrote this article as an entry for the online Encyclopedia of Religion and Society for Hartford Seminary. The article presents a sociological analysis of the model of charismatic leadership. Typically, such leaders arise in the midst of great social or cultural change. According to Max Weber, this form of leadership is founded upon the perception that the leader has certain qualities for leading that can provide guidance for navigating such change. This quality stands in contrast to authority vested by an institutional body. Indeed, there is a lack of institutional oversight, which can provide potentially needed correction to wayward leaders. In order to maintain the perception of authority, such leaders must work to consolidate power, which has typically resulted in sectarianism. This has, in turn, shown an inherent instability within this model of leadership.

One may object that this article presents an unduly harsh depiction of charismatic leadership. I, however, would tend to agree with the general tenor of the article. The Anglican Communion, of which I am a part, does indeed have a fairly substantial institutional structure. This, I think, can prevent the rise of charismatic leaders who espouse deviant and sectarian practices. In this, it closely resembles the Catholic Church. Indeed, we can see this playing out in the case of Fr. Coughlin, a priest from the early 20^th century. His charismatic support of fascism was stopped by censure from the Church’s hierarchy. In light of this, I find this article to be valuable as a necessary critique of charismatic leadership.