“In the Name of God”: Theopolitics and Charismatic Leadership in Martin Buber`s Political Thought

Buber`s Theopolitical theory was established during the 30`s of the 20^th century, leadership became one of the topics of his close concern during World War II into the Zionist State.

It seems that Buber sought to revise the neutrality of Max Weber`s definition for charismatic leadership, which ultimately does not recognize good from bad charisma. i.e. Weber`s definition for charismatic leader treat Besht and Sabbtai Zevi the same.

The difficulty of Buber’s writings on charismatic leadership is his descriptive poetic writing style; his definitions are not scholastically conceptualised as Weber`s; Buber preferred to build his political theory, says Dan Avnon, into mythes, legends and ‘good example’ stories.

Buber`s leadership is concerned with leaders in the Bible, Hasidism, Education, Zionism and others; leaders who act through divine charis, god’s gift, bestowed with “Ruch Elohim”. At the same time, he inquires the other side of the mirror; false prophets, Sabbateans, Zionists leaders who went astray by nationalist politics, and finally also fascist leaders such as Hitler, Mussolini, etc. In order to view the unique characteristics of each leadership, there is a need to consolidate and extract from Buber`s writings clear definitions.

My discussion will confront twofold political ways; Politics from "beneath" vs. Politics from "above"; Buber’s charismatic theopolitical leadership will be examined in face of theological leadership "in the name of God"; theopolitical and political charismatic leaderships will be considered through notions of human and divine government. I will conclude this paper with reflections on the connections between politics and mysticism.