In the TV age, charisma means a glitzy, riveting superman. The screen must buzz, the lights must dazzle and the individual must dominate by his looks and personality.
But there is another definition of charisma provided by philosopher Max Weber, which is something not often captured by TV cameras. This is a relationship of faith between people and leader, a quasiemotional bond, a comfort factor, a quality of standing for something, or representing aset of values that are being lost.
Now PM Modi is charismatic in his own way, but he is the striding declaiming supremo with the chappan ki chaati, a persona seductive for urban youth. Yet it is Nitish Kumar, CM elect of Bihar, who is perhaps closer to Weber’s Read More