The Emergence and Revival of Charismatic Movements: Argentine Peronism and Venezuelan Chavismo
Cambridge University Press, 7/29/2021
EAN 9781108831475, ISBN10: 1108831478
Hardcover, 300 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English
Political movements founded by charismatic leaders are often considered ephemeral. Existing literature argues that because they rest on unmediated, emotional attachments between leaders and followers, these movements either fade quickly after their leaders disappear or transform into routinized parties. Yet, charismatic movements around the world have proven surprisingly resilient and have retained their personalistic core. Focusing on Argentine Peronism and Venezuelan Chavismo, this book investigates the nature and trajectory of charismatic movements from the perspectives of both leaders and followers. Using interviews, focus groups, and survey experiments, Caitlin Andrews-Lee reveals that charismatic movements can emerge, survive, and become politically revived by sustaining - not discarding - their personalistic character. Followers' charismatic attachments to the movement founder can develop into an enduring, deeply affective political identity that successors can reactivate under certain conditions by portraying themselves as symbolic reincarnations of the founder. Consequently, charismatic movements can have lasting, deleterious effects on democracy.
Part I. Theoretical Discussion
1. Introduction
2. A Theory of Charismatic Movement Revival
Part II. The Demand Side
Charisma from the Followers' Perspective
3. The Formation of Charismatic Attachments
4. The Survival of Charismatic Attachments
5. The Reactivation of Charismatic Attachments
Part III. The Supply Side
Charisma from the Leaders' Perspective
6. The Politics of Succession in Charismatic Movements
7. The Spasmodic Trajectories of Charismatic Movements
8. Theoretical Implications and Broader Conclusions.