[December 23, 2015] Appearing on the cover of LIFE Magazine on December 19, 1969, Charles Manson is the infamous cult leader of the “Family”.1 Cult leadership is frequently associated with megalomaniacs, crazies, and psychotic and narcissistic personalities. The danger may be evident in the case of Charles Manson but I will argue that it is for more insidious in less obvious cases.
If we look at the study of cult leadership in the science of psychology, a good description can be had of what the more extreme cases appear to be like. Its most closely associated with a charismatic leader who craves power and this helps explain the entangled relationship between the leader and the emotional needs that bind both leader and followers. Psychologists say that cult leaders have a personality disorder that makes them very dangerous.2
It can be persuasively argued that political leaders have a following that is based on an emotional co-relationship and that this comes very close to cult leadership.3 This may seem to be a silly argument but it actually is very serious and applicable. The fact is that most politicians, regardless of where they are from, have a very dedicated following. This is wherein the danger lies.
Often, like obvious cult leaders, politicians (and many other types of strong leaders) have a well-established and committed following. Those leaders usually possess high levels of charisma and charm. It’s when those leaders veer into the realm where their needs exceed the basic rules of the society to which they belong. The “ends justify the means” is a common refrain and is perilous to both the followers and others. It is not surprising that Americans have a low opinion of politicians yet are very dedicated followers.
Charles Manson’s followers killed nine people at his direction in the summer of 1969.4 A pop culture has arisen around him, after his conviction, and shows the power of cult leadership and demonstrates its power. Another yet better example is the cult leadership of Adolf Hitler; his followers are inspired today, more than 70 years after the overwhelming defeat of his Nazi regime. The danger of Hitler was overlooked early in his leadership.
Cult leadership is more than a charismatic leader, a group of followers, and their intertwined emotional relationship. Cult leadership makes people blind to the leader’s dangerous attributes and to any failings of the leader. That blind faith, regardless of its basis, is the greatest threat to humankind.
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- Thumbnail in the featured image is of Charles Manson from the LIFE Magazine cover (Vol 67, No. 25). The lead story is titled “The Love and Terror Cult: The man who was their leader, The charge of multiple murder, The dark edge of hippie life.”
- http://www.dannyhaszard.com/captivehearts.htm
- The academics of psychology is very good but it is easy to see that charisma is something not so well understood and many believe that cult leadership and charismatic leadership are inseparable.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Manson