What is charisma and that it gives us

It is easier to understand what charismaThan to define it. In various newspaper and magazine articles are similar examples of charismatic leaders: John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Barack Obama. However, they rarely can find a description of the charism itself. The question of the need for a charismatic features in the so-called "transformational" leader remains highly controversial.

At the same time, the bookstores crammed self-help books that promise to the reader to uncover all the secrets of charisma.

Early ideas about charisma

Some believe that it is impossible to get to the essence of the concept of "charisma", because it is something abstract, than have only a few individuals. But what is charisma?

The concept of charisma goes back to the Apostle Paul written around 50 AD. They can find the first written mention of the word "charisma", which took place from the Greek word charis, meaning "gift," "grace". The Apostle Paul defined charisma as a "divine grace" or "gift of God."

The Epistles of Paul to young Christian communities of the Roman Empire mentioned the word charismata ( «gifts of grace"). He singled out the nine gifts, with both the supernatural and the natural environment: the gifts of prophecy, healing, knowledge of languages ​​and interpretation of tongues, the gift of knowledge transfer and ministry gifts.

The apostle Paul considered the concept of charisma as a mystic: it was believed that the divine gifts may flow out to anyone without the mediation of the church institutions. There was no such thing as leadership charisma. It was assumed that the complementary gifts of grace are meant to serve the community without the aid perpetuated top leader.

However, in the IV century under the active influence of the church concept of "charisma" ceased to mean something, derived directly from the Holy Spirit. Church was more profitable to be seen in the context of the church hierarchy, on top of which were located bishops. They are in their own way interpret the divine laws in the Bible.

The former concept of charisma survived only thanks to the heretics. Among them were preachers who defended the idea of ​​getting divine inspiration without referring directly to the bishops or the Holy Scriptures. This type of "heresy" was cruelly persecuted church.

The concept of charisma Max Weber

For several centuries, the concept of charisma is almost never mentioned. Interest in it was revived only in the XX century, when in his writings he was approached by the German sociologist Max Weber. In fact, the modern meaning of the term "charisma" we owe it to Weber. He reworked the religious ideas of the Apostle Paul to the secular mood and charisma considered in the context of sociological concepts of power and leadership.

According to Weber's work, there are three types of power: rational-legal, traditional and charismatic. Weber saw charismatic type of power by the revolutionary, unstable, is a kind of antidote to "iron cage" of modern rationality "disenchanted" world. He believed that a charismatic leader, thrilling the audience with his skill, there is something heroic.

Weber defined charisma as "the quality of the person recognized as extraordinary, thanks to which it is assessed as gifted supernormal, superhuman or at least specifically special powers and properties that are not available to other the people. "

He analyzed the manifestations of charismatic leadership in the face of military or religious leaders and fueled hopes that the charismatic leadership as a phenomenon will not disappear even in operating conditions strictly regulated bureaucratic systems of modern world.

Max Weber died in 1920 without seeing how his ideas have been applied in politics and culture. Perhaps he was lucky, as the first charismatic political leaders became Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler. Therefore, many European thinkers have come to the conclusion that the existence of charismatic authority entail sinister events.

This dark side of charismatic leadership could be seen for a long time. These leaders of the various movements and communities of 60-ies of the XX century, such as Charles Manson with his talent "bewitch" followers were also instantly categorized charismatic. At this point, Weber's work had already been translated, so the term "charisma" has gained popularity in English-speaking countries, even with the 50-ies of XX century.

The modern interpretation of the concept of "charisma"

The first policy, which the media have called charismatic leaders for not manipulative, and for positive features became John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert Kennedy. After the 60-ies of the XX century, the word "charisma" was included in active use since the beginning applied not only on the with respect to the political leaders, but also to the outstanding personalities, well-known in other areas: for example, Mohammed Ali.

Currently, the concept of "charisma" is used to describe certain personalities: politicians, celebrities and businessmen. Under the charisma we understand the special nature of the pledged quality that distinguishes humans from the masses and attracts them to other people.

Charisma is considered a rare quality-related special endowment. For example, for American politicians, has the qualities of a charismatic leader, usually referred Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, but apart from them at the moment no one else has received such titles.

In the business sphere was the charismatic leader Steve Jobs: a visionary and inspiring at the same time changeable, unstable in their moods. Among the celebrities, while most of the entertainment industry is devoted fabrikovaniyu "stars" of the show Idols and The Voice, charisma is a sign of a rare and genuine talent. That's what reality television can not create.

The dual role of charisma

Do we need all the charisma of modern politicians? David Barnett (David Barnett), journalists who write the biography of politicians, called charismatic leadership, "one of the most dangerous of all existing in a democratic society phenomena. " Charismatic leaders can inspire their followers grandiose rhetoric, with the result that often leads to controversy and causes great harm to members of the party or all the inhabitants of the country, led by such leader.

Normally, political parties have enough popular among the people close to him harmless leaders whose ideas are understandable to ordinary people. Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating (Paul Keating) is a charismatic personality, to make wise decisions in office. At the same time, he has created a split in the Labor Party, is turned away from a large part of its representatives of the traditional backbone of its blatant arrogance.

His successor John Howard (John Howard) all felt completely devoid of charisma, but it was his "Ordinary" was the most important advantage: it does not intimidate people, and gave them a sense of confidence in the future.

At the same time stay in the premiership favorite people, the Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi (Silvio Berlusconi) adversely affected the life of a democratic society. The charismatic leader may be interesting, even attractive, but its success often leads to the fact that state political party, which he represents, or even the entire democratic regime could be in threat.

So, the concept of "charisma" is already 2000 years old. Is there a connection between the modern understanding of the charism as a special form of manifestation of power and religious beliefs of the time of the Apostle Paul's charisma? This relationship is founded in the concept of the natural endowments. The apostle Paul believed that the acquisition of charisma does not need help bishops or church, it is poured over a person as a divine grace.

Today charisma still seems mysterious talent that can not lose. No one knows why she was gifted with only a select few people. As before, the charism remains a mystery to us.