Charisma in the Age average: a question of political theology.

projectCOMPLETED (2015-2018)
 

Following Max Weber 's redefinition in the early 20th century, the concept of charisma has become one of the most widely used concepts in the social sciences - especially sociology, psychology and Economics- to interpret issues related to leadership. This projectproposes a re-semanticisation of this concept, returning it to its original disciplinary roots - more theological than social-scientific - and recovering all its enormous sacred dimension. In this way, it is possible to analyse with rigour all those historical manifestations that require an approach that is not reduced to the limited field of what can be verified by natural causes, such as miracles, prophetism, sanctity, preaching, ritualism and the use of astrology as a prediction of the future. The projectis divided into two areas of research:

(1) To document, analyse and interpret some manifestations of charisma in the exercise of authority by the great rulers of late medieval Spain, analysing some specific examples such as King Peter IV of Aragon (1318-1387), the Prince of Viana (1421-1461), King John I of Aragon (1350-1396), Ferdinand the Catholic and his son Prince John (1478-1497).

(2) Analyse the charismatic forms that emerge from the social margins furthest from the centres of power - such as that of the great preachers, those who engage in prophecy, great astrological sages or the most popular saints. Their charisma functions, paradoxically, as a buffer or an alternative to the central powers of traditional societies - such as kings or religious hierarchies.