Strategies to Form Political Cults of Personalities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.1946Keywords:
personality cult, charismatic authority, political loyalty, political theoryAbstract
Cults of personality represent a unique and potent political phenomenon, characterized by leaders who transcend ordinary political roles to command extraordinary loyalty and power. This paper explores how political figures achieve and sustain such status by adhering to three core parameters outlined by Anne-Mette Holmgård Sundahl: political resilience, symbolic elevation, and religious parallels. Through historical and contemporary examples, the paper delves into specific strategies employed to establish and maintain a personality cult. Key strategies include maintaining distance between the leader and followers, communicating primarily with less politically aware audiences, and leveraging trial-and-error processes to build political resilience. The paper argues that understanding these dynamics is crucial for recognizing and addressing the potential risks associated with personality-driven leadership. By providing a new analytical lens, this study aims to help scholars and voters better predict, identify, and counteract the emergence of cults of personality in contemporary political landscapes.
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