The main features of the political elite. The concept of the political elite

  • 03.08.2019

And what role do they play in society? Let's find out what features the division takes place different types the said elite. Let's find out their signs and functions. And let’s define what exactly the concept is: “types of political elites”, “formation of elites”.

Types

Kinds political elite are divided according to a number of features. So, depending on the selection method, it can be defined as open or closed. And when focusing on the place it occupies, it can be divided into ruling and opposition.

The political elite can be united or divided, depending on the nature internal relations in it, and low or high, according to the degree of representation.

By selection method

The political elite can be open or closed. The first is characterized by the fact that if you want to join its ranks, the applicant faces a limited number of formalities that are aimed at selecting a person with the necessary personal qualities.

The mechanism of its work is elections, which imply competition. The peculiarity of this type of elite is that it is provided with a high degree of circulation. In other words, representatives can get into it different layers. Thanks to this, people with new ideas often come to the open elite. As a result, there is low continuity in policy development.

The political elite, formed according to the type of guilds (closed), is characterized by the fact that a candidate can get into it only by corresponding a significant number formal requirements. In this case, personal loyalty to management and willingness to carry out orders received without question are of great importance. Appointment is used as a selection mechanism.

On the plus side, we can say that such elites provide a high degree of continuity in policy development, a low number internal conflicts, and also support the balance of decisions made. But at the same time, enterprising people come here in small numbers (besides, they are not given the opportunity to develop their activities well). This leads to the fact that the closed elite ossifies, degrades and degenerates. The degree of circulation in in this case low.

Patterns

It should be said that the functions and types of political elites are interrelated. As an example, the following can be given.

There are pairs: closed and united; open and disconnected. But this does not mean at all that one characteristic is always accompanying another, although very clear patterns can be traced in their grouping.

It is also impossible to say for sure that any elite is completely open or closed, since there are no clear boundaries in this definition.

The nature of internal relations

In this case, there may be the following types of political elite: united and divided. In the first case, it is quite cohesive and boasts a high degree of integration. Within such an elite, intergroup competition is kept at a low level, and conflicts do not develop into an irreconcilable stage. Moreover, when united on the basis of a certain ideology, intolerance arises towards everyone who adheres to dissent.

The elites that unite on the basis of consensus act most optimally. In this case, they develop an agreement regarding the basic values, goals and methods of the policies that will be pursued.

A feature of the divided elite is the low degree of integration. This is accompanied by the presence of intense struggle between different factions that want to control strategic positions, areas of control and direct the distribution of resources. Due to the high degree of competition, condemned methods of struggle are widely practiced (including gross compromise of rivals).

Place in the political system

It was noted earlier that in the case of determining a place in the political system, a distinction is made between the ruling elite and the counter-elite. The first group includes those who indirectly or directly participate in the management of society. Counter-elites are people who have qualities that are characteristic of elites, but due to various obstacles or their own social status unable to exercise control.

The counter-elite can be understood, for example, political opposition, because it wants to weaken the power of the elite and take over some or all of its powers. In a broader sense, this can be understood as social group, which is endowed with elite qualities.

The peculiarity in this case is that she does not want to be part of ruling elite, but has the goal of depriving her of power in order to subsequently build new system. This is accomplished through social revolutions.

Degree of representativeness

This parameter is important for the people. After all, if the elites have a high degree of representativeness, then they will be able to express the interests large quantity segments of society. In this way it will develop more or less balanced. If the degree of representation is low, then, accordingly, the interests of a small number of segments will be represented.

This typology is used to understand the transformation processes that the political elite undergoes. Signs that led to current situation cases can be found in the past. Let's look at the situation using the example of modern Russia.

In pre-revolutionary times, the elite and counter-elite were formed in conditions when there were no democratic freedoms in society. Officially, it consisted of officials and was formed according to the class principle. Thus, the interests of the top were best represented in it (and this was open and legal). Beginning in 1917, the place of the elite began to be taken by the “proletarian” bureaucracy. It was formed according to the classless nomenklatura principle. It was legislated that the bureaucracy represents the interests of the entire people.

Other types

The types of political elite discussed earlier are generally accepted for classification. But there are other approaches that offer their own classification methods. Let's figure it out alternative versions what types of political elite can be:

  1. Traditional and modern.
  2. Higher, secondary and administrative.

Traditional and modern elites

The division in this case is carried out on the basis of the means of approval used by the elite. Thus, it is typical for traditional elites to rely on certain phenomena:

  • customs;
  • land ownership;
  • military valor;
  • nobility of origin;
  • religious merits, etc.

Examples include tribal nobility, landed aristocracy, religious hierarchies, etc.

Modern elites derive their power from the values ​​that are common in our time:

  • financial capital;
  • professional achievements;
  • education, etc.

Modern elites include entrepreneurs, political leaders, and representatives of scientific and technical crafts. But this does not apply to everyone, but only to those who can influence decisions made and occupy a certain position of power.

Higher, middle and administrative elites

The division in this case is carried out on the basis of the received power, but there are no clear criteria for this. The highest elite is considered to be people who can influence the most significant decisions across society. As an example, we can cite heads of state, chairmen of parliaments, prime ministers - everyone who occupies high positions in any of the three branches of government. Quantitatively, this group usually ranges from 100 to 200 people.

The middle elite includes big number officials who receive their positions during elections. It includes members State Duma(if we consider the realities Russian Federation), governors, leaders of various political parties and social movements, heads of cities, and so on. There is strong differentiation in this environment, so the unifying factor here is that its representatives are elected through elections.

The administrative elite is understood as the highest layer of bureaucracy, which occupies high positions in committees, ministries and other bodies government controlled. What makes them special is that they are prescribed.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are Various types elite The coordinate system of their classification will change depending on what we choose as starting point. If you want to join the elite, then you need to remember that this is not a matter of one day. To do this, a person must have authority, knowledge and connections.

No less important is the awareness that great rights come with commensurate responsibilities. You have to pay for the decisions you make. Therefore, you need to be careful in your desires and avoid taking actions whose consequences cannot be correctly assessed.

Elite is:

  • persons who received the highest index in the field of their activity (V. Pareto).
  • most active in politically power-oriented people (G. Mosca)
  • persons enjoying the greatest prestige, wealth, status in society (G. Lasswell)
  • people who have intellectual and moral superiority over the masses, regardless of their status (L. Boden)
  • people with the highest sense of responsibility (J. Ortega y Gasset)
  • a creative minority opposing the uncreative majority (A. Toynbee), etc.

Political elite- a set of persons with political influence and a privileged position in society.

In everyday language, the concept of “elite” has the character of a positive assessment, denoting something better, selective, chosen. But in social science this concept is devoid of evaluative meaning and simply designates the highest layers in the social hierarchy. Individuals who belong to the elite do not necessarily have the best human qualities (more often the opposite is true), but high place In the social hierarchy, a person can receive not only thanks to exceptional talents, but also occupy it by inheritance or due to random circumstances.

One of the creators of “,” the Italian sociologist Gaetano Mosca (1858-1941), drew attention to the fact that even in democratic societies, real power never belongs to the majority, but always to a select minority. In terms of access to political power society is divided into two parts - the managers (small elite) and the governed (the vast majority of people). Therefore, the political elite can be called a relatively organized minority that has positions of power. Representatives of the elite are politically active and can take important decisions for the whole political system decisions, give orders and monitor their execution.

Usually the political elite is considered head of state, prime minister and ministers, heads of chambers of parliament, parliamentary factions, leaders of parties and socio-political movements, regional leaders, as well as major government officials ( administrative elite). In addition, there are also economic elite(owners of large banks, corporations, holdings), military (generals), information (media owners, editors-in-chief of national television channels, newspapers and magazines), scientific (prominent scientists, academicians), spiritual (higher church hierarchs, famous writers and human rights activists). These groups can have a significant influence on government policy, and in some cases, merge with the political elite. For example, the fusion of the economic elite with the political elite leads to the formation of oligarchic rule, the fusion of the military and political elite - to the transition of the state to a militaristic position, the fusion of the political elite and the spiritual-religious - to the manifestation of elements of theocracy.

Elite formation systems

Two stand out elite formation systems:

  • open, where privileged positions are available to all social groups, there is high competition for positions, and those who have the necessary reach the top leadership qualities;
  • closed, where the selection of candidates for the elite is carried out by a narrow circle of leading officials and is complicated by a number of formal requirements (origin, party affiliation, length of service, etc.); Such a system is typical of non-democratic societies.

Italian scientist Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923) identified counter-elite - a group of people with exceptional leadership qualities who are closed social system does not allow him to take leadership positions. If the ruling elite weakens, the counter-elite carries out revolutionary changes and eventually turns into the ruling elite itself. All political history, according to Pareto, there is a process of changing elites.

In an open and stable society, a person with necessary qualities, is able to independently reach the highest positions of the political hierarchy. The main " social elevators» in this process are active civil service and party activities.

Signs and characteristics of the political elite

The main characteristics of the political elite are the possession of power and the monopolization of the right to make decisions.

Considering that societies of all types, in their own way, internal structure Usually divided into two “strata”: the minority that rules, and the majority that is ruled, the minority that rules is called the political elite. Moreover, the rule of this minority is different structural constancy: when the personal composition of the elite changes (changes), its power relations have always been and remain unchanged at their core. It is known that in the course of history, tribal leaders, slave owners, monarchs, boyars and nobles were replaced, people's commissars and party secretaries, parliamentarians and ministers, etc., but the relationship of domination and subordination between the elite and the masses has always been preserved and is still preserved, because there has never been a people who governed themselves, and there never will be. And every government, even the most democratic, is in fact oligarchic, i.e. rule of the few over the many.

You should also pay attention to such a characteristic of the elite as its internal differentiation. The elite is divided into the ruling elite, i.e. directly possessing state power, and non-ruling, opposition. The latter is covered by the concept "counter-elite".

There is also such a concept as "subelite". It denotes various subtypes of the ruling elite. In addition to the political elite itself (highest political and state functionaries), this category includes “captains of industry” (heads of large corporations), “lords of war” (highest army and police hierarchy), holders of “spiritual power” (priests, intellectuals, writers, etc. .), “leaders of the masses” (leaders of parties and trade unions), etc.

The role and significance of political elites

The political elite, as the most active, competent and influential part of society, plays key role V political process. She participates in the development and adoption of strategic decisions and manages their implementation, determines directions social development, forms the country’s defensive policy, represents the country in the international arena. Elites also play a major role in the development of a particular ideology or political trend, in formation public opinion and in mobilizing the masses to participate in political actions and movements.

If the ruling elite is understood in a literal etymological sense as the best part society, then its importance as a reference group is manifested in all spheres of life, including in compliance with general ethical standards and criteria of morality. At the same time, the main criterion for the morality of the political elite is its service to the national and state interests.

The role and importance of political elites is especially great in periods of transition and crisis for the country. People's uncertainty about the future allows the ruling elite to concentrate a large amount of political power in their hands, control the destinies of many millions of people and at the same time not bear any responsibility, “attributing” their incompetence and (or) abuses to “objective circumstances.”

It is also necessary to take into account that in addition to public interests, the elites have their own personal and group (corporate) interests. Objectively, the interests of the ruling elite coincide with public interests, since the stability of power and its prospects depend on the growth of the well-being of the people. But the temptation to enrich themselves at the expense of society (especially if this society is not able to protect itself) often outweighs the objective necessity, and problems are resolved in favor of the elites.

The formation of a political elite is a rather lengthy process. The role of established political traditions is great in it, political culture. Most candidates undergo many years of “internship” in their party organizations.

In Russia in the early 90s. XX century The political elite was formed “in a spontaneous manner” from former Soviet party workers and “young economists-reformers” over the course of two to three years. As the practice of the last 15 years shows, the competence of the Russian ruling elite, its moral and political responsibility do not yet stand up to criticism.

The nations are led by elites - people who hold serious positions and have access to closed sources of information. They are quite diverse and are formed different ways. Let's look at what they are and how they influence the development of society. The question is not idle. Our destinies depend on the actions and decisions of these people. In addition, they have a serious impact on the future, which means they create the living conditions for potential children and grandchildren. It is advisable for ordinary citizens to understand which group of people in the country is in charge in order to understand the meaning of current events and predict the likely consequences.

What is the elite?

We often hear this word on TV shows and in serious articles. The elite is a group of people who have the opportunity to influence society. It is necessary to understand that ordinary access to power is not enough. There are many examples in history of how leaders emerged from the people, pushing away from control those who were supposed to occupy this place under the current law. But to become an elite, you must have a certain set of qualities and skills. This includes education, connections, wisdom, charisma, the ability to analyze, plan actions and negotiate. The ruling elite holds the levers of power. Those who do not have the opportunity to take part in management oppose them. These are the counter-elites. In addition, there are also cultural figures whose influence on society is sometimes enormous. It is also worth pointing out the military elites. In some states they play a decisive, dominant role. We cannot ignore the scientific community, although today their role is not as noticeable as in the last century. The country's political elites are formed under the influence of prevailing historical circumstances, economic factors. Sometimes the leadership class is completely reformatted under public pressure

Types of political elites

Political scientists cover the issue under discussion often and in a variety of ways. It depends on the degree of development of society, its traditions, thinking, and historical path. The following types of political elites are distinguished:

  • Open, all citizens can enter it.
  • The closed one is replenished only by representatives of certain groups (the aristocracy, for example).

Indian scientist P. Sharan proposed his own classification. He describes the types of political elites as follows:

  • The highest occupies leadership positions.
  • Average - people with a certain wealth, professional skills, education.
  • Administrative - employees of higher government officials, for example.
  • Marginal does not have the characteristics listed above, but has influence in society.

Ruling elite

The main positions in any state are occupied by people with sufficient skills and influence. They are representatives of all types of elites. Modern society has a complex structure. To keep it under control, it is necessary to influence all segments of the population. From this point of view, constant interaction between managers and adjustment of plans and actions is necessary. This work is organized by the visible ruling elite. The administrative one carries out executive functions, and the higher one generates ideas. Everyone strives to promote their representatives to the pinnacle of power. This also happens during elections. The deputy corps joins elite circles democratic society on different levels. At the same time, there is a strong opinion that only a select few rule the world. These people receive special education and management skills. There are two types of elite recruitment: entrepreneurial and guild systems. Let's take a closer look at them.

Guild system

In almost all countries, getting to the top of power is not easy. The formation of the political elite is based on the principle of belonging to a certain group or caste. This is a closed selection. It involves gradual, fairly slow progress along career ladder. A candidate for entry into the elite circle is tested on his level of education, ability to communicate with people, speak publicly, and so on. They also matter family ties, party experience and other things. This system is considered conservative. The decision to join an elite club is made by the elite, who tend to reproduce one type of leadership. There is no competition in it. This leads to the gradual degradation of the elites. These people do not have time to respond to the challenges of our time and do not have sufficient flexibility. This was the case, for example, in the USSR, which contributed to the collapse of the state. On the positive side The guild system is considered to be that it does not contribute to the emergence of internal conflicts, its policies are predictable. This method of nominating elites is present in democratic countries with a strong party system.

Entrepreneurial system

Modern society is developing rapidly and is faced with big amount problems. In order for it to live normally, it is necessary to carefully select managers. The entrepreneurial or entrepreneurial system involves the selection of candidates with certain qualities. One of the main things is the ability to please the public. Any social stratum can nominate its representative to the very top. Competition in this system is very high. The selection is carried out by the entire population of the country. This system is typical for developed democracies. For example, an actor (R. Reagan) became one of the presidents of the United States. Under the entrepreneurial selection system, the professional preparedness of the future manager is not particularly important. People must like him and be able to respond to public demands and challenges. The disadvantage of the system is the likelihood of random, unprepared individuals coming to power.

On the role of political elites

It should be noted that for the development of a state it is very important who governs it. The role of the political elite is very important and multifaceted. These people influence the well-being of citizens, culture, and education. They have the right to control the security of the country. In fact, people's lives depend on them. It is important that modern political elites have high level professionalism. The world is quite complex. If the number of erroneous decisions is high, then you can simply destroy it. In most countries, the formation of the political elite takes place according to a combined principle. That is, part of it is selected from certain groups, bright personalities come to power from the people. This allows us to maintain balance and stability in society at the same time. It is no secret that incorrect, destructive policies have more than once led to the destruction of the state. Nowadays they are trying to avoid these mistakes by involving the population in evaluating managers.

The mistakes of the elites are a disaster for the people

It is very important that the country’s elite be united and strictly adhere to certain rules, did not enter into serious conflicts. In any country, there are living people in influential positions who have both advantages and disadvantages. They are engaged various issues affecting society. They must be able to develop a common opinion consistent with the aspirations of the population. That is, open and closed elites are obliged to act together, resolving conflicts within themselves, without involving the people. As negative example You can cite the long-suffering Ukraine. Its elites have been fighting for power for many years. The president of the country was either a representative of the western regions or the eastern. Politicians were unable to reach an agreement, which led to armed clashes. That is, the elite circle simply failed to cope with its responsibilities.

What determines the quality of managers?

A democratic society strives to establish a balance between different groups and strata. It is necessary to find consensus when performing any task. Peace and stability in the state depend on politicians. The governance of the country must be trusted to trained, competent and talented people. That is, the elite should be specially trained. At the same time, we cannot refuse social elevators. Competition helps improve the quality of managers and, more importantly, generate new ideas. The quality of the elites, no matter how the reader may object, depends on the population. It is his reaction to these people that is the main and most important measure of the effectiveness of their work. For example, you should not thoughtlessly vote for a parliamentary candidate whom you have never seen in your yard. He does not fulfill his duties, which means he does not deserve a place in the elite circle.

Professional support for managers

It has already been mentioned that the typology of the political elite has a complex structure. This helps not to lose control of the country when the ruler changes. Provide work government agencies mostly professionals. These are people who have specialized knowledge, skills, experience. No bright leader can do without their help. In any structure political party, for example, there is a device. Its leadership is known to everyone from their speeches and publications. The activities of leaders are ensured by ordinary specialists, sometimes called bureaucrats. They carry out enormous organizational and analytical work. These people should also be classified as elite. After all, they influence the decisions and actions of their leader. It is sometimes said that any type of elite is diluted. Next to influential people in high positions are relatives and staff. They also have a certain influence on their policies.

Features of the change of elites

Typically circles influential people replenished constantly and gradually. People are trained, selected, tested. But there have been exceptions in history. Revolutions push brave and determined people to the top of power. They occupy the most senior positions. Naturally, revolutionary process- This is a serious shock to society. To prevent this, it is necessary to constantly improve the management system. New people should come to it, bringing ideas that are popular in society.

Conclusion

The reader is probably wondering: how to get into the circle of the chosen ones? IN modern world it's not impossible. If you look at the elites of most countries, you will see that they differ from the majority of ordinary citizens in education, activity, courage, and penchant for analysis. It is necessary to cultivate these qualities in yourself from youth. You may not become president, but you will take an honorable and worthy place in society.

Political elite - small group people who, due to their privileged position in society, their special abilities or qualities, occupy commanding heights in the management of society or have a significant influence on political power. The political elite includes not only leaders of states and political parties, not only “top officials,” but everyone who plays a significant role in politics and has a significant influence on it, including the business elite, prominent scientists (scientific elite), journalists, prominent representatives of culture (media elite), as well as public and religious figures. The political elite is sometimes called the "ruling political class of society." One of the founders of elitism in politics, G. Mosca, wrote: “In all societies - from the least developed and civilized to the most developed and powerful - two classes of people are found - the class that rules and the class that is ruled. The first, always less numerous, takes upon itself all political functions, monopolizes power and enjoys the advantages that flow from it, while the second, more numerous, is led and controlled by the first, sometimes more or less legally, and sometimes more or less voluntaristically and violently "

Signs of the political elite

1. This is a more or less closed social group, constituting a minority of society and performing management functions. In Western democracies, according to some estimates, for every million inhabitants there are approximately 50 representatives highest political elite, and its core in each country is approximately 200 - 400 people. TO average The elite includes approximately 5 percent of the population. At the same time, the political elite is internally heterogeneous. This is, for example, how the famous Western political scientist Karl Deutsch explains this circumstance: “In general, people whose educational level is much higher than their income... are more critical of existing relations... and gravitate toward centrism or left-wing radicalism. Persons whose income significantly exceeds their level of education are also often dissatisfied with their situation and, as a rule, take right-wing political positions. Thus, the views of the elite 5% of a country's adult population, defined by income, occupational status, and education, can tell a lot about what is and is not politically acceptable in a given country." In other words, only these 5% are capable of comprehensively and soberly assessing the situation, and it is primarily their opinion (if we agree with K. Deutsch) that should guide society and the authorities when making political decisions.

In addition, the so-called marginal political elite(marginal, literally - located on the sidelines). These are groups separated from each other that exhibit high political activity, but are unable to objectively assess the reasons for their activity and its consequences for the country. Representatives of this group usually occupy, according to some political scientists, extreme (either left- or right-radical) and therefore, in contrast to the highest and middle elite, “unconstructive” positions. The rest - the overwhelming majority of the population - do not belong to the political elite.

    The political elite is a special relatively united group of people that does not have the status of an organization and, accordingly, any of its public official governing bodies. Figuratively speaking, people don’t join the elite, they belong to it thanks to its privileged position in given society, its special qualities and capabilities.

    The subject of primary attention of the political elite

is the power: possession, disposal or conscious and purposeful influence on it.

The main characteristics of the political elite are the possession of power and the monopolization of the right to make decisions.

If we consider that societies of all types, according to their internal structure, are usually divided into two “strata”: the minority that rules and the majority that is ruled, then the minority that rules is called the political elite. Moreover, the rule of this minority is different structural constancy: when the personal composition of the elite changes (changes), its power relations have always been and remain unchanged at their core. It is known that in the course of history, tribal leaders, slave owners, monarchs, boyars and nobles, people's commissars and party secretaries, parliamentarians and ministers, etc. were replaced, but the relations of domination and subordination between the elite and the masses have always been preserved and are still preserved, for there never was a people that governed itself, and there never will be one. And every government, even the most democratic, is in fact oligarchic, i.e. rule of the few over the many.

You should also pay attention to such a characteristic of the elite as its internal differentiation. The elite is divided into the ruling elite, i.e. directly possessing state power, and non-ruling, oppositional. The latter is covered by the concept "counter-elite".

There is also such a concept as "subelite". It denotes various subtypes of the ruling elite. In addition to the political elite itself (highest political and state functionaries), this category includes “captains of industry” (heads of large corporations), “lords of war” (highest army and police hierarchy), holders of “spiritual power” (priests, intellectuals, writers, etc. .), “leaders of the masses” (leaders of parties and trade unions), etc.

Types of political elites

Question. Concept and typology of political leadership.

Political leadership - long-term influence on large groups of people, based on the personal authority of the leader.

Often a political leader is the head of an organization - a political party, social movement, states, etc. However, the meanings of the concepts “management” and “leadership” do not coincide. Leadership is the possession of formal decision-making power, which does not necessarily imply authority. A real leader may not enjoy authority and respect: in this case, he will not be a leader. The leader, in turn, may not hold leadership positions, and such a leader is called informal. The best prospects for effective political activity are possessed by a person who simultaneously holds a leadership position and is an authoritative leader.

The ability to lead implies that a person has such qualities as intelligence, intuition, organizational skills, willingness to take responsibility, and the ability to please the public.

The Italian philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) in his work “The Prince” described in detail the main requirements for a person who wants to become political leader: he needs to be able to avoid hatred and inspire trust; regardless of his actual actions, he must be presented to the people as an example of nobility and virtue; he must be prepared to act quickly and brutally if necessary. Depending on the situation, he must change his management style - either cunning like a fox or strong like a lion.

Types of Leaders

There are various types of leadership. In relation to subordinates, authoritarian and democratic leaders are distinguished; in scale - national, class, party. IN modern political science There are several collective types of leaders:

§ standard-bearer leader who is distinguished by a special vision of reality, an attractive ideal, a dream that can inspire the broad masses;

§ servant leader, which in its activities is guided by the needs and requirements of its supporters and voters and acts on their behalf;

§ leader-trader, who is able to attractively present his ideas, competently convince citizens of the superiority of his ideas over the ideas of others;

§ firefighter leader, which is focused on the most pressing, burning problems and whose actions depend on the specific situation.

Typically, selected images are not found in pure form: specific leaders may have a combination of these characteristics in different proportions.

Some leaders are able to captivate people and inspire them to do something. In this case, they often talk about charisma (from the Greek charisma - divine gift, grace) - the idea of ​​​​a person’s exceptional talent. Charismatic leader those around them tend to endow them with the properties of exclusivity, supernaturalism, and infallibility. The right of such a person to be a leader is supported by blind faith, reverence, and devotion of people. They believe him not because he said something right, but because he said it. A charismatic leader is able to rally his followers in the face of danger, but he, as a rule, is of little use in solving current affairs. History has also demonstrated many times that charismatic leaders can easily turn into dictators.

Many studies of leadership are based on the typology of legitimate dominance developed by M. Weber. They highlight:

1) traditional leadership
, based on traditions, customs and the habit of followers to obey. Within this type of leadership, the relationship between leaders and followers is based on the latter's personal devotion to their leader, partly due to tradition, partly due to the arbitrariness of the leader, who is allowed freedom of action based on tradition. Boundless reverence for a leader is the basis of his legitimacy. The activities of a leader are both based on traditions and limited by them. The withdrawal of subjects from obedience is not associated with resistance to the existing order, but with a protest against a master who violates traditions. Traditional leadership relies on individuals: those who are personally dependent on the master, those who have a particularly trusting relationship with the leaders (favorites), those legally subordinate to him (vassals);

2) charismatic leadership
, based on faith in the extraordinary, outstanding qualities of the leader. “Charisma,” Weber noted, denotes a certain quality of a person that is considered extraordinary, thanks to which he is assessed as gifted with supernatural, superhuman, or at least special powers and properties inaccessible to other people. Such a personality trait can be considered divine. Charismatic leadership arises from the need for revelation, hero worship, and reliance on a leader;

3) rational-legal (bureaucratic) leadership carried out on the basis of laws and within the framework of laws. Unlike the two previous types, rational-legal leadership is institutionalized to the greatest extent. It submits officially established standards, rules and procedures.