Personality Cult or a Mere Matter of Popularity?

IF 1 Q3 POLITICAL SCIENCE

International Journal of Politics Culture and Society Pub Date : 2022-05-04 DOI:10.1007/s10767-022-09423-0

Anne-Mette Holmgård Sundahl

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This paper introduces a theoretical model for distinguishing between mere popularity and personality cults as there currently is an inflated use of the personality cult concept, especially in news media, attaching it to significantly different phenomena. The model is based on Weber's concept of charismatic authority and consists of three parameters, widespread symbolic elevation, resilience and religious parallels, covering a representational and social practice dimension. Both dimensions are needed to constitute a personality cult. Trump, Putin and Ardern are used as examples of the model's ability to distinguish between cult and non-cult phenomena. The comparison shows that only Trump and Putin have a cult on both dimensions. Mere popular politicians like Ardern are more comparable to celebrities as these do not have the same authority and power over the followers as leaders with a personality cult - despite potentially showing some cultlike tendencies on the representational dimension. Popular politicians are thus especially characterised by lacking the key social practice aspect of personality cults. As they might still exhibit some cultlike characteristics, the different phenomena are best perceived as being on a continuum ranging from mere admiration or popularity to a personality cult.

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个人崇拜还是仅仅是受欢迎的问题?

本文介绍了一种区分纯粹的人气和个人崇拜的理论模型，因为目前存在着对个人崇拜概念的夸大使用，尤其是在新闻媒体中，将其与明显不同的现象相提并论。该模型以韦伯的 "魅力权威 "概念为基础，包括三个参数，即广泛的象征性提升、复原力和宗教相似性，涵盖了代表性和社会实践两个维度。构成个人崇拜需要这两个维度。我们以特朗普、普京和阿德恩为例，说明该模型区分邪教和非邪教现象的能力。比较结果表明，只有特朗普和普京在两个维度上都具有邪教特征。像阿德恩这样的纯粹受欢迎的政治家更类似于名人，因为他们对追随者的权威和权力不如具有个人崇拜的领导人--尽管在代表性维度上可能表现出一些类似于邪教的倾向。因此，受欢迎的政治家尤其缺乏个人崇拜的关键社会实践方面。由于他们仍可能表现出一些类似邪教的特征，因此最好将不同的现象视为从单纯的崇拜或受欢迎到个人崇拜的连续统一体。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Politics Culture and Society POLITICAL SCIENCE-

CiteScore

2.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society welcomes original articles on issues arising at the intersection of nations, states, civil societies, and global institutions and processes. The editors are particularly interested in article manuscripts dealing with changing patterns in world economic and political institutions; analysis of ethnic groups, social classes, religions, personal networks, and special interests; changes in mass culture, propaganda, and technologies of communication and their social effects; and the impact of social transformations on the changing order of public and private life. The journal is interdisciplinary in orientation and international in scope, and is not tethered to particular theoretical or research traditions. The journal presents material of varying length, from research notes to article-length monographs.