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Stalin the charismatic leader?: Explaining the 'Cult of Personality' as a legitimation technique
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 09:17 authored by Strong, C, Matthew KillingsworthMatthew KillingsworthThis article reassesses Stalin's attempts to construct legitimacy through the development of a 'cult of personality', built through an overt co-option of the charismatic authority generated by Lenin's revolutionary leadership. While seemingly counterintuitive, it will be argued that Max Weber's theory of charismatic authority offers a constructive tool with which to examine Stalin's attempt to construct legitimacy through the creation of the 'cult of personality'. Through the application of routinised charisma, Stalin's attempts at legitimation are not only better understood, but also present further avenues for exploring non-democratic legitimation techniques through the use of modern media.
History
Publication title
Politics, Religion and IdeologyVolume
12Issue
4Pagination
391-411ISSN
2156-7689Department/School
School of Social SciencesPublisher
RoutledgePlace of publication
UKRights statement
Copyright 2011 Taylor & Francis.Repository Status
- Restricted