Leader Cult, Charisma, and Political Legitimacy: Contemporary Populism from a Weberian Perspective

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Uluslararası Liderlik Çalışmaları Dergisi: Kuram ve Uygulama
Cilt: 8 Sayı: 3
Leader Cult, Charisma, and Political Legitimacy: Contemporary Populism from a Weberian Perspective

Leader Cult, Charisma, and Political Legitimacy: Contemporary Populism from a Weberian Perspective

Authors : Muhammed Ramazan Demirci

Pages : 106-126

Doi:10.52848/ijls.1716325

View : 84 | Download : 601

Publication Date : 2025-12-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study explores the rise of populist leadership forms since the 2000s by drawing on Max Weber’s concept of charismatic authority. Through the cases of Donald Trump (USA), Narendra Modi (India), and Jair Bolsonaro (Brazil), it examines how charismatic authority is reconstructed in contemporary politics, how populism reinforces this authority type, and how charisma-based claims to legitimacy interact with democratic institutions. The study employs discourse analysis and comparative case study methods, focusing on political rhetoric and practices. The literature review is grounded in recent international scholarship on Weberian authority types, charismatic leadership, populism, and crises of political representation. Findings suggest that today’s populist leaders reconstruct charismatic authority through personalized narratives, symbols, and image strategies. Populist discourse built on the antagonism between “the people” and “the elites” strengthens their claims to legitimacy. While charisma-based legitimacy aligns with a majoritarian understanding of democracy, it structurally conflicts with liberal democratic norms such as the rule of law, separation of powers, and institutional oversight. The study argues that populist charismatic leadership is shaped not only by individual traits but also by systemic crises in political representation. This leadership style fosters direct mobilization while weakening democratic institutions and encouraging authoritarian tendencies. In conclusion, Weber’s century-old concept of charismatic authority provides a powerful lens to understand contemporary populist leadership. However, in the digital era, where media technologies and ideological populism converge, this form of authority poses serious challenges to liberal democracies.
Keywords : Karizmatik otorite, popülist liderlik, siyasal meşruiyet, Max Weber, temsil krizi

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