Suggestions for a redefinition of charisma

Abstract

This special issue examines charisma in the Chinese world and shows that the concept is applicable in a non-European-derived religious context. At the same time, these studies have required certain distinctions and emphases in defining what charisma is. In this they contribute to its general analysis. This article draws out their contribution by placing them within general sociological developments of Weber's original idea, linking political with religious charisma. It ends with a programmatic statement of what these Chinese studies show to be fruitful ways of describing and analyzing modern charisma in general, and concludes with a normative question, contrasting good charisma, which is accountable, with bad charism