Obama, Palin, and Weber: Charisma and Social Change in the 2008 U.S. Election

Abstract

Barack Obama et Sarah Palin sont tous les deux souvent étiquetés en tant que charismatique par le public. Pour évaluer si oui ou non, Obama et Palin démontrent une forme de charisme tel que définit par Weber, leurs rhétoriques et leurs actions sont examinées dans le contexte d'élections passées et dans celui où règne une stagnation politique mise en scène par la guerre des cultures. Là où la connexion entre Palin et le public émerge de son rôle de défenderesse dans la guerre des cultures, Obama a articulée une vision d'une communauté partagée, et se faisant, a réorganisé l'électorat en incorporant dans sa coalition la jeunesse désenchantée qui n'avait pas voté durant les dix dernières années. Both Barack Obama and Sarah Palin are commonly labeled “charismatic” by the public. To assess whether or not Obama and Palin exhibit charisma in the Weberian sense, their rhetoric and actions are examined in the context of past elections and the political stagnation brought about by the politics of the culture wars. Where Palin's connection with the public flows from her role as a fighter in the culture wars, Obama articulated a vision of shared community and, in doing so, reorganized the electorate by incorporating disenchanted youth who had not voted over the past decade into his coalition. Thus, in Weberian terms, only Obama manifests charisma.

The effects of crisis, cynicism about change, and value congruence on perceptions of authentic leadership and attributed charisma in the 2008 presidential election

“…Forty-one percent of those who voted in the election were between 18-44 years of age (U.S. Census Bureau, 2008c). Bowden (2010) suggests that Obama articulated a vision of shared community and drew a number of young voters who had previously been disenchanted by the electoral process. Because studies have shown that polls are more accurate the closer they are to the actual election (Crespi, 1988) the time frame in our study design allowed for more accurate recall of the vote and important issues contributing to leader selection.…”

Egyptian Media Coverage and Cultural Differences Impact In Perceiving the US Presidential Candidates 2016

“…The charismatic leadership in this context translates the relationship between the leader, the followers, and the social circumstances that enable the leader to provide solutions for the problems facing the community. (Bowden, G. 2010) Moreover, the candidate's image composition seems to be influenced by dichotomy between candidate issue positions and candidate persona impressions. (Hacker, K. et al, 2000).…”