Political Leadership Essay Example for Free

Political Leadership Essay Political Leadership and the Problem of the Charismatic Power Author(s): Carl J. Friedrich Source: The Journal of Politics, Vol. 23, No. 1, (Feb. , 1961), pp. 3-24 Published by: Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Southern Political Science Association Stable URL: http://www. jstor. org/stable/2127069 Accessed: 04/08/2008 17:34 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of JSTORs Terms and Conditions of Use, available at http://www. jstor. org/page/info/about/policies/terms. jsp. JSTORs Terms and Conditions of Use provides, in part, that unless you have obtained prior permission, you may not download an entire issue of a journal or multiple copies of articles, and you may use content in the JSTOR archive only for your personal, non-commercial use. Please contact the publisher regarding any further use of this work. Publisher contact information may be obtained at http://www. jstor. org/action/showPublisher? publisherCode=cup. Each copy of any part of a JSTOR transmission must contain the same copyright notice that appears on the screen or printed page of such transmission. JSTOR is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to build trusted digital archives for scholarship. We work with the scholarly community to preserve their work and the materials they rely upon, and to build a common research platform that promotes the discovery and use of these resources. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [emailprotected] org. http://www. jstor. org POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM OF THE CHARISMATIC POWER* CARLJ. FRIEDRICH Harvard University. introduced sociology into and its derivatives, THE TERM charisma many years ago by a Germansociologist, has lately been spreading into political science here and abroad. The intellectuals desire to sound profound by the use of unfamiliar words may have a share in this fad, but it would seem that the term also responds to a very real need. One recent writer goes so far as to define charisma as the right to rule by virtue of what they (the leaders) have been and are. Needless to say, such vagueness is a far cry from the original usage. 1 In order to be able to assess the utility of the concept of charismatic leadership, charismatic authority (and legitimacy) and charismatic power and rule, it will be necessary to clarify the phenomena of power, rule and leadership which are supposed to be qualified by this quality of being charismatic. Power is a central concern of political science. It is a phenomenon which is universally recognized, but difficult to understand. Like all data of the real world, it defies rigorous definition. Most famous among the attempts at definition is that of Hobbes. He states that power is the present means to secure some future apparent good. (Leviathan Chap. 10) Such a definition (while historically important as a challenge to the traditional notion that what is good can be authoritatively known)2 is both too broad and too narrow. Too broad, because it makes it impossible to distinguish power from wealth; for what is wealth but a present *Based upon a paper delivered at the 1960 Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, New York, on September 9, 1960. The problems here discussed will be more fully developed within a systematic context in a forthcoming book on this and related issues. Max Weber, Wirtschaft und GeselIschaft, 1922, Part I, Chap. 3, paras. 1014; Part III, Chap. 9, and elsewhere. An abbreviated edition of Talcott Parsons and Henderson was published under the title The Theory of Social and Economic Organization. The discussion of charisma and charismatic leadership is found on pp. 358ff. The statement quoted on charisma is found in M. S. Lipsett, Political Man (1959) p. 49. 2Hobbes, in consequence, denied the notion of a summum bonum; these Doints were rightly stressed in comments by David Spitz. [3] 4 THE JOURNAL OF POLITICS [Vol. 23 means to secure some future apparent good? Hobbes reply to such an objection would have been, of course, that wealth is a form of power; he says as much in the discussion that follows his definition. Whatever may be the argument here on broad philosophical grounds, it is operationally important today to draw this distinction, in order to differentiate political from economic concerns and thus politics from economics. Actually so broad a definition as Hobbes really identifies power with the totality of resources available to a man to realize his values or purposes. If power is thus defined, what does it mean to say that life is but a ceaseless search for power after power unto death-the famous claim of Hobbes and recited to this day? It simply says that men seek that which they desire, which is little short of tautological. But Hobbes definition is not only too broad; it is also too narrow. For it talks of power as if it were a thing, something to have and to hold, and may be to sit upon like a bag of gold. Power at times possesses this quality, but at other times not at all, and it is important to see it in its dual nature, because only this Janusfaced quality gives to power the perplexing dynamic quality which men feel but find it difficult to account for. Power is not only a thing, a possession, but it is also a relation, as Locke insists in his Essay on Human Understanding (Bk. II, Chap 21) where he states are (powers relations, not agents. If power is looked at in the dimension of time, it becomes clear that its relational quality is the more evident, the longer the time span involved. For it is in the rise and the decline of political power, whether of individuals or of larger groups that the relational quality, the fact that power is always power over other men, becomes evident. In a certain sense, therefore, it is possible to say that the stress upon its quality as a thing, a possession to have and to hold, is the result of an illusion. But such a statement is not wholly justified. Due to the institutionalization of power relationships, presently to be discussed, the power attached to a certain office is a thing, a possession to have and to hold. To be sure, the office may be lost as a result of the way the power is used, but while the office is held, the power is in the hands of him who holds it. Therefore it is appropriate to say that power is to some extent 8It is curious and has been noted occasionallythat Locke in his Essays on Civil Government (I1,4) builds the argument upon Hobbes concept, though the other notion, implicit in his general philosophy, also plays its part. 1961] POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AND CHARISMATIC POWER 5 a possession p(l), and to some extent a relation p(2). It is the ratio of the two ingredients which political science must continuously be concerned with. The difference between political phenomena in which the ratio of p(l) and p(2) is greater than one, and those in which the ratio of p(l) to p(2) is smaller than one is familiar to the study of politics. The first is typically a stabilized office, such as that of an hereditary monarch, or of an official of a firmly established republic. The second ratio, p (l)

Henrik Isbens A Dolls House :: A Dolls House Essays

A Doll House is considered to have revolutionized Drama in its time. Ibsen, with his play, tries to show another part of humanity to his audience. This new style consisted in situations that could and do happen in real life rather than spectacular or crazy plots. A Doll House is a dramatic piece written by Henrik Ibsen. This story is about Mr. and Mrs. Helmer, they are a happy marriage that like any other marriage is supposed to be based on trust and love. But Mrs. Helmer has a secret, she obtained some money in a shady way to save his husbands life, and now she has to pay it back. But her lender, Mr. Krogstad keeps trying to get favors from her threatening her that if she does not help him he was going to tell her husband her secret. At the end the truth is revealed and Mr. Helmer reacts in a very raging way, Nora realizes that she had been in the wrong place for all these years and decides to leave. Probably the most important part about The Doll House is the ending, when Nora realizes that she does not belong with that man and leaves the house. The other ending added later on as a condition to put this play on stage, is a very good example of the idealistic ideas that were around those times in Europe. This ending proposes that Nora will make a sacrifice and stay with her husband because of their children; this ending definitely does not belong to this play. The whole theme of this play is supposed to represent a real life situation and in real life things sometimes don’t go well. It is hard to argue whether or not this â€Å"happy ending† should have been included in the play; because it is true that in real life things can go wrong but they can also go well, and this new ending would be a good example of story in which at the end everything is fixed in some way. But there is a very big problem with the â€Å"happy ending†, and that would be that it is not the original.

Argo

The Movie Argon did not win the Oscar for the best movie Just because people liked It. Argon Is a movie directed and produced by Ben Fleck, In the movie Ben Fleck also plays the role of a main character along with Bryan Cranston, Alan Irking, and John Goodman. The movie plays during the time Iran's Revolution. The movie based Itself on 6 Americans that work in the US embassy In Tehran and when the Iranian protesters break Into It they manage to escape and take shelter In the Canadian ambassadors souse.The CIA decides to collaborate with Hollywood and created a fake movie called Argon and the plan they had consisted In Glenn the 6 Americans fake passports, visas and take them out of the country Like If they where crew from the movie. I really enjoyed Argon but the things I like the more will be the acting, the set design and the movie plot. In my opinion the best thing about Argon will definitely be the story plot. The movie attracts many people because based on a true story movies ma ke people want to see t because you can actually see what happened with the people that lived thru those moments.It shows how one thing led to another, and the exact details, for example when the main actor (Ben Fleck) comes up with the idea while he talks with his son on the phone and they both watch a movie about space invaders. The set design in Argon makes the movie even more fascinating. All the scenes in the movie where supposed to be filmed in Tehran where actually in the US and I bet most people really thought they where filmed on Tehran, it can even be passed as a documentary limed by someone at the moment.The actors where also perfect in the movie, starting by Ben Fleck, he played the role of Tony Mended from the CIA and he is the one who extracts the Americans from Iran. He's character made a really good part because he made Tony Mended look like a passionate man, passionate for his work, his family, but also he was really smart and seemed to be professional at making str ategies In situations like the ones In Iran. Goodman and Irking play the role of the producer and the director of the fake movie.Many laughs come from them, they give the movie a comedy part even though the movie has nothing to do with comedy, both actors give an example of Hollywood people, mean but comedy mean and they have enemies and of course both of them are rich people. Even though Argon won the Oscar for the best picture and for many people It was with out doubt the best movie, there will still be people that disagree with this decision and of course the movie has its flaws because for what I know no movie has There exist a problem, Argon makes the situation look like if the extraction of the 6Americans was all thanks to Tony Mended and the CIA, when on the true story people like the Canadian ambassador had more to loose than its reputation. In defense to Argon the movie can certainly be bias, and since Americans made the movie and they save Americans they want to make the U S the protagonist of the movie, but that does not mean they say that Canada and other places had nothing to do with the extraction. I have also heard people say that they find offensive the fact that Goodman and Irking laugh about the situation when they are next to the pool in theirBeverly Hills mansion, and not in a live or die situation. Again in Argos defense those parts only give the characters characteristics and gives us a taste of a Hollywood life. Argon definitely deserved the Oscar for best picture; even though it had flaws it still makes a fabulous movie. The movie fabulously comes from its set design, acting and plot. But lets also give credit to the amazing actor and director the movie had, Ben Fleck. So liked or not the movie people can't deny â€Å"argon buck yourself† caused tremendous laughs in people.

John Calvin s Contributions Of The Reformation - 1370 Words

John Calvin’s Contributions John Calvin was one of the reformers who would bring reformation to the city of Geneva and help establish the Protestant faith among the community of Geneva and throughout Europe. His strength in the reformation was his ability to organize. John Calvin was a major Contributor as a reformer in Geneva. The Protestants were scattered heavily throughout Europe, and were considered leaders of the Reformation. Calvin’s work in the writing of the Institutes would arouse many throughout Europe and give the Protestants the opportunity to present their faith and views as a church and enabled them to have a voice in Calvin, who was respected for his religious views and the publishing of the institutes. Calvin did not fear the negative attacks the Protestant movement was receiving from other religious figures in the publishing of their literature. Calvin’s strength as a reformer was his brilliance to organize the Ecclesiastical Ordinances within the church that would bring structure among the church and elders. Furthermore, his writings brought structure to the reformation. John Calvin began impacting the Reformation through writing a treatise that would later lead to the publishing of the Institutes of the Christian Religion. These writings discussed Christian faith from the Protestant view point. Being able to elaborate on the Protestant faith was crucial to some, because most of the literature was met with strong attacks. Calvin’s father was part of theShow MoreRelatedJohn Calvin s Contributions Of The Reformation1325 Words   |  6 PagesJohn Calvin’s Contributions Calvin’s strength as a reformer was his brilliance to organize the Ecclesiastical Ordinances within the church that would bring structure among the church and elders. Furthermore, his writings brought structure to the reformation and shaped theological doctrines. John Calvin was a major contributor as a reformer in Geneva. The Protestants were throughout Europe, and were considered leaders of the Reformation. Calvin’s work in the writing of the Institutes would arouseRead MoreThe Reformation And The Protestant Reformation876 Words   |  4 Pages The 16th century reformation is also known as the Protestant reformation. There are a various number of causes for the Protestant reformation. The causes of the reformation will be analyzed from two different perspectives: Germany s causes and Europe s causes. The results of reformation will be examined. Major contributors such as Martin Luther and John Calvin s perspectives and contributions will also be analyzed and the impact they had during their time period.  People in Europe during theRead MoreMartin Luther And John Calvin1069 Words   |  5 PagesMartin Luther and John Calvin were both leaders in the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther was a monk, or priest, in the Augustinian friars’ order and his ideals were that Catholicism were corrupting the New Testament beliefs and people were saved by faith alone not by buying their way into heaven. John Calvin studied law â€Å"but in 1533 he experienced a religious crisis, as a result of which he converted from Catholicism to Protestantism. Calvin believed that God had specifically selected him toRead MoreTheodore Beza And The Protestant Reformation1813 Words   |  8 Pagesfigure in the Protestant Reformation who is often left out of the discussion of most important reformers at the time. To begin with, Beza’s rise to distinction in the French Reformed movement was sparked so quickly to the point that he must be observed as John Calvin’s coworker and friend rather th an his successor (Steinmetz 114). The two companions often relied upon each other for advice to increase their knowledge and flourish in theology (Wolfe 230). His time with Calvin included a large amountRead MoreComparing Calvinism And Arminianism And Two Systems Of Theology1921 Words   |  8 Pagesof God’s truth founded by theologian John Calvin. Calvin was born in Noyon, France in 1509. He joined the Protestant Reformation when he was a law student at the University of Orlà ©ans. John Calvin was Martin Luther’s successor as the preeminent Protestant theologian during the Reformation (Biography). In the summer of 1536, Calvin published his magnum opus, â€Å"The Institutes of the Christian Religion.† This book was a very important part of the Reformation as it was written to â€Å"aid those who desireRead MoreJohn Calvin Essay1770 Words   |  8 PagesAt an early age, John Calvin found his calling to God to the chagrin of his father, who wanted him to be a lawyer. This calling to God helped Calvin bring about changes to the church. Even though Calvin traveled to some isolated spots in Europe preaching his sermons, the changes occurred all throughout Europe and then into the Americas. All these changes began humbly in France in the early 1500s. According to Lord, John Cauvin or Calvin as we know him, was born July 10th, 1509 in Noyon, whichRead MoreMartin Luther ( 1483-1546 )2808 Words   |  12 Pagesled to the Protestant Reformation. He was a prolific writer and his theology challenged many of the accepted traditions of the church, perhaps most importantly his doctrine of â€Å"justification by faith,† affirming that human faith and justification are not works of their own hands, but gifts from God. Philipp Melanchthon (1497-1560) – Philipp Melanchthon was a follower and colleague of Martin Luther that played a vital role in the development of Lutheranism during the Reformation. He was a primary authorRead MoreThe Catholic Reformation Essay1393 Words   |  6 Pagesthese Reformation movements, the Church needed to make some reforms itself. These reforms took the form of educating the clergy, opening monasteries, the Inquisition, and the organizing of councils. In fact, even though Protestant attacks brought these reforms, many of these reforms were needed anyway. The problems in the Church were so bad that the Church would not have survived if the problems were not fixed. Even though there were movements to stop Protestantism, the Catholic Reformation was moreRead MoreAnalysis Of Thes The Interior Castle And John Calvins Institutes Of The Christian Religion1888 Words   |  8 Pagesknowledge and self have undergone significant changes. The 16th century offers a liminal period of such changes in the Western world as the Reformations, both Catholic and Protestant, remade the Christian self. In this essay, I offer a foray into the concept of self-knowledge in this pivotal period by comparing the concept in Teresa of Avila’s The Interior Castle and John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. These two dissimilar figures, one a Catholic, mystical theologian and the other the fatherRead MoreThe Classical Theory Of Management2103 Words   |  9 PagesThe Classical Theory of Management During the 1700’s -1800’s a systematic thought process for an established American government battled between Jeffersonianism and Hamiltonianism. The Jeffersonian argued a weak federal government and strong state and local governments, on the grounds that lower-level government will be more responsive than the national government to the popular will. The Jeffersonian also argued that the American economy should rely more on agriculture than on industry and sees