Belinda wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2019 3:02 pm
Is charisma a suitable qualification for a political leader?
Belinda,
I tend to think of a "qualification" as something that you earn and acquire, like a university degree. Charisma isn't like that - it an innate personal quality. In any case the notion, of a bad/incompetent charismatic politician is oxymoronic, well, at least it is in the civilised
Western world. (I see kids walking around wearing T-Shirts with Che Guevara images printed on them because Che is still a charismatic figure all these years after the CIA gunned the bastard down in 1967. Here you have an example of a man who was a politician in Cuba's revolutionary government political, who had an army of devoted admirers, but was, truth be told, a brutal "stone killer" who coolly executed untold 100's of civilians (including) children with gunshots to the face).
So, I would answer your question by saying that I have noted that some great political leaders are very charismatic, and some that are not.
Donald Trump, for example is obviously a charismatic politician. He has a personal magic and electrifying spiritual power about him that sets 1000's of his supporters cheering and up on their feet at his big MAGA ("Make America Great Again") right across the length and breadth America. I always watch his MAGA performances, and I have to say I've never seen politician fire-up a crowd like Trump does in my life (and following US and UK politics has been one of my hobbies for years) I get excited myself just sitting in front of the telly.
Still in America, ( but before my time), there was another great political leader, Huey Long, his nick name was "The Kingfish", and he was even more charismatic than Trump. Huey became Governor of Louisiana in 1928. You would like him as he was a (real) socialist who actually got things done and made a difference: helping the poor; building schools and libraries; going into bat for unemployed families during the Great Depression, etc. I've watched all of the old black and white news reels I could find of HL; there are a couple showing him giving speeches in Congress, and man, he was a knock out! Huey long was charismatic, but he was also a fire-brand and his defiant, uncompromising political views made him lots of enemies among the ruling class of Conservatives. Huey was given the nod to challenge Roosevelt for the Presidency in 1936. In 1935 national polls were showing that Huey was closing in fast on FDR, but that same year he was, tragically, shot dead by mentally disturbed gunman.
In Britain Margaret Thatcher, of course, was a charismatic figure. I know that she was not exactly loved by EVERYONE in Ingerlund, but she was, as the record confirms, overall, a very successful Prime Minister and she did have millions of devoted fans in Blighty. I mean, lets face it Belinda, I know you hate the Tories, but the UK was in bad shape in the 1970's, the Unions had screwed up the national economy and I'm sure you remember "The Winter of Discontent" in 1979 ! Things just couldn't keep going on like that. Margaret came in the next year, she stood up to the Union Bosses and their bully-boys and said THAT'S IT- GAME OVER. Thatcher sorted out the mess quick smart. You have to admire her, Belinda, she had to constantly deal with men (Politicians, Unionists, Tory Party grandees, Businessmen) who were real arseholes and deliberately tried to make her life as PM hell, but she stood her ground and refused to take any shit from them. IMO, she was a class act - a very strong and very dignified Lady.
Still in Britain, an example now of a good political leader who do NOT have charisma. This was John Major. "Citizen John" was my fave British PM because I loved his debating style in the Commons. (Their was only one blot in John's copy book and that was the 4 year affair he had with Edwina Currie. Disgraceful behaviour !).
Finally, another outstanding girlie political leader who was super-charismatic. I'm talking about Eva Peron in Argentina. What can I say, but: beautiful, passionate and a fighter to the end ! She was a great leader and a great role model for the women of her generation. A truly remarkable and inspiring woman.
Regards
Dachshund