Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, Willy Brandt, Ayatollah Khomeini and Josip Broz Tito are said to have (had) it, while with regard to current top politicians such as Angela Merkel or David Cameron the media often bemoan a lack of it: charisma. Political charisma is a buzzword that can frequently be found in public debates. Yet, while everyone seems to have an idea of what charisma is, there is a lack of analytical insight into this social phenomenon, which can play an important role in domestic as well as international politics, including those of modern democratic states. The module `Charisma in (International) Politics? looks in detail into this emotional and symbolic facet of politics. Starting with the works of sociologist Max Weber, who has crucially coined the concept of charismatic rule, first a range of theories on genesis and functions of different forms of charisma will be explored. Forms of charisma include the volatile `extraordinary charisma?, the rather stable `institutionalised charisma?, and the `mundane charisma?. Following the examination of basic theoretical concepts, the module then analyses the role of these diverse forms of charisma in different political systems (democracy, autocracy, dictatorship) and among contending actors (such as rebel groups), and explores the impact of political charisma on the international politics of these state and non-state actors and on international relations in general. General observations will be accompanied by specific in-depth case studies from different times/places worldwide.

The module adds to the department'r provision in the fields of International Politics, International History, Political Studies and `Third World? Studies. It enables students to develop an understanding of the role of symbolic, emotional and performative aspects of (international) politics by looking at a specific phenomenon: the forms and functions of political charisma. Although taking a very specific inroad, the module introduces students to a range of important and critical questions at the heart of the study of politics, including: What are sources for political power and domination? Which role do symbolism and emotions play in legitimising politics? Which role does/can personal leadership play in domestic/international politics? Based on these general questions, more charisma-specific questions are: How can the emergence of charisma in politics ? in different forms, at different times and places ? be explained? What different functions does charisma have in domestic political processes (for instance, how are charisma and different political systems connected, and what role does charisma play for violent contenders of states, like rebel groups)? What is the media'r role in the production of charisma? And, last but not least, how does political charisma as a specific form of emotional and symbolic legitimation of politics play into, and is it influenced by, international politics and transnational relations?