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From Hell to Utopia and Back to Hell: Charismatic Relationships
Author(s) -
Couch Carl J.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
symbolic interaction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.874
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1533-8665
pISSN - 0195-6086
DOI - 10.1525/si.1989.12.2.265
Subject(s) - charisma , charismatic authority , phenomenon , utopia , sociology , social psychology , epistemology , psychology , philosophy , political science , law
Weber and most subsequent analysts of charisma have adopted a synchronic standpoint. The author offers a diachronic formulation, delineating the social processes that create, modify, and transform charismatic relationships. A mature charismatic relationship emerges as: (1) consensual definitions of discontents emerge; (2) the identities of leader and followers are established; (3) social encounters (gatherings) are programmed to enhance charismatic acts; (4) new solidarities are established; (5) new consensual definitions of reality are established; and (6) a Utopian future is formulated. The common phenomenon of charismatic relationships transforming into tyrannies is a consequence of the qualities of some of the social processes produced to maintain a charismatic relationship. Representative relationships are an alternative to charismatic and tyrannical ones.