CHARISMATIC CULTS
In her book Bounded Choice, True Believers and Charismatic Cults Janja Lalich looks at the cult phenomenon in the USA based on the cult Heaven's Gate.
Laurie Taylor is joined by Janja Lalich, Assistant Professor of Sociology at California State University, Chico and Eileen Barker, Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the London School of Economics to discuss the role of charismatic leaders and their hold over followers by exploring Lalich's ideas of 'charismatic commitment' and 'bounded choice' decision making within the confines of the cult worldview.
CHARISMATIC LEADERS
In his own estimate, Winston Churchill was a prophet and a statesman of fervent convictions. Renowned for his captivating war time speeches and volcanic energy, he was a charismatic leader. But what exactly is charisma, what makes a person charismatic and does it still exist today?
Laurie Taylor finds out if charismatic people are a source of instability, innovation or social change, with John Eldridge, Professor of Sociology, University of Glasgow; Ellis Cashmore, Professor of Culture, Media and Sport at Staffordshire University and Roger Griffin, Professor in Modern History, Oxford Brookes University.
Additional information:
Janja Lalich
Assistant Professor of Sociology, California State University, Chico
Bounded Choice, true believers and charismatic cults
University of California Press
ISBN: 0520240189
Eileen Barker
Emeritus Professor of Sociology, London School of Economics
INFORM
An independent charity that was founded in 1988 by Professor Eileen Barker with the help of British Home Office funding and the support of the mainstream Churches. It is based at the London School of Economics.
INFORM provides them with up-to-date information about new and/or alternative religious or spiritual movements.
John Eldridge
Professor of Sociology, University of Glasgow
Ellis Cashmore
Professor of Culture, Media and Sport, Staffordshire University
Mike Tyson: Nurture of the Beast
Publisher: Polity Press
ISBN: 0745630707
Beckham
Publisher: Polity Press
ISBN: 0745630510
Roger Griffin
Professor in Modern History, Oxford Brookes University
The Nature of Fascism
Publisher: Routledge, an imprint of Taylor & Francis Books Lt
ISBN: 0415096618
Fascism,
Roger Griffin (Editor)
Publisher: Oxford Paperbacks
ISBN: 0192892495
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