Commanding, Charismatic Leaders – A Force for Good or Evil?

Book Review

Bell, David A. Men on Horseback: The Power of Charisma in the Age of Revolution. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2020.

Princeton University Professor David A. Bell argues that modern historians underestimate the power and influence of charismatic leadership. The noted Age of Revolutions author believes that contemporary historians have overreacted by rejecting Thomas Carlyle’s “great man theory,” which attributes seminal historical events to the efforts of an illustrious leader. Alternatively, historians have focused on telling the stories of underrepresented groups and interpreting the actions of everyday people. While Bell agrees that these underreported stories should be told, he believes the pendulum has swung too far in neglecting the impact of charismatic leaders.

Bell writes a comparative leadership narrative of the four most prominent revolutionaries from 1775 to 1825 to rectify this imbalance. He selects George Washington, Napoleon Bonaparte, Toussaint Louverture, and Simón Bolívar. The author notes that these charismatic leaders freed two continents from imperial colonizers, created republics based on new political principles, altered state boundaries, overthrew slavery in Santo Domingo, and proclaimed the equality of all men (but not women) regardless of race (page 216). While their accomplishments were impressive, the leaders also faced disappointments and failures. Bonaparte, Louverture, and Bolívar died in exile without achieving their patriotic visions.

Today, people regard a charismatic leader as exceptional, eliciting excitement and possessing personal magnetism. Bell asserts that the charismatic leadership of his four subjects is more akin to Max Weber’s definition of a revolutionary with a highly personal form of political authority, contrasting with the then-dominant patriarchal governance of kings and royalty (p. 237). Bell states that the four leaders shared a gift of charisma, as defined by Weber. The author notes that the four revolutionaries were superb horsemen who could spend long hours in the saddle, using their horsemanship to rally their armies and constituents. Other than Washington, the leaders specifically cultivated followers through symbolic behaviors and adulatory events. The sources of Washington’s charisma are more challenging to pinpoint. Contemporaries point to his impressive physique, stoicism, and aloof demeanor. However, Bell reports that Washington’s reputation increased, even in defeats, becoming the personification of the American War for Independence.

Another interesting observation is that Napoleon, Louverture, and Bolivar compared themselves to Washington, wishing to be regarded with the same legacy. However, the latter three leaders, while initially espousing democratic and republican ideals, turned to authoritarian rule. While Washington gave up power, the other three did not, leading to ignominious endings to their political careers and lives. Despite the latter three’s failures to maintain democratic republicanism, their legacy of charisma endured. For example, the author notes that in the thirty years after Napoleon’s death, biographers authored over 2500 books, many of them laudatory. The cult of charisma continues as modern-day political successors burnished Louverture’s and Bolivar’s legacies by commemorating their impact on Haiti and Venezuela.

Bell concludes that charisma is an “integral, inescapable part of modern political life” and “democracy’s shadow self.” As such, historians should not overlook the study of its effectiveness and political impact. Likewise, citizens should recognize that charismatic leaders can be forces for both good and evil. John Adams warned of excessive Washington idolatry, and his son worried about Andrew Jackson’s despotic tendencies (p. 222).

Today, people should not underestimate the good and evil intentions of politicians who can fill stadiums without relying on well-known entertainers to draw in their supporters. Charismatic politicians can create or threaten constitutional democratic regimes (p. 230). As a result, individual leaders matter as much as general society trends, and citizens should choose their leaders carefully and not be overly swayed by charismatic behaviors.

Men on Horseback is an invaluable reflection to aid in decision-making about charismatic leaders.