T he r eader ’

TEST A
 
Answer the multiple-choice questions that follow the reading selection on charismatic leaders. 
Max Weber adapted the term charisma from the vocabulary of early Christianity to denote 
one of the three types of authority on the basis of claims to legitimacy. He distinguished among 
(1) traditional authority, whose claim is based on “an established belief in the sanctity of 
immemorial traditions”; (2) legal authority, grounded on the belief in the right of those holding 
authoritative positions to issue commands; and (3) charismatic or personal authority, resting on 
“devotion to the specific sanctity, heroism, or exemplary character of an individual person, and 
of the normative pattern or order revealed by him.” 
Of these types, charismatic authority, according to Weber, differs from the other two in 
being unstable. While elements of charismatic authority may be present in all forms of 
leadership, the predominantly charismatic leader is distinguished from the other leaders by his 
capacity to inspire and sustain loyalty and devotion to him personally, apart from his office or 
status. He is regarded as possessing supernatural or extraordinary powers given to few. Whether 
in military prowess, religious zeal, therapeutic skill, heroism, or in some other dimension, he 
looms “larger than life.” He is imbued with a sense of mission, felt as divinely inspired, which 
he communicates to his followers. He lives not as other men. Nor does he lead in expected ways 
by recognized rules. He seems to flourish in times of disturbance and distress. Viewing himself 
as the indispensable prop of his country’s existence and the only one in whose hands its destiny 
can be trusted, he may treat constructive criticism as treason. 
[Kebschull, Harvey G. (Ed.).
Politics in Transitional Societies: The Challenge of Change in 
Asia, Africa and Latin America.
New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1968, pp. 161-162; 170.] 
1. The central focus of this excerpt is
A. that charismatic leaders are unstable. 
B. a discussion of the characteristics of charismatic leaders. 
C. an analysis of past charismatic leadership. 
2. The controlling thought of the first paragraph is that 
A. there are three types of authority according to Max Weber. 
B. traditional authority is the most effective type of authority. 
C. Max Weber coined the term “charisma.” 

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10 Chapter 3, Main Idea