In Max Weber theory of Ideal Type, I found charismatic authority to be particularly relevant. According to Weber, and authority relations, people claim authority and feel they have a legitimate right to expect willing obedience to their command. Hence this illustrates Weber’s use of the ideal type an analytical tool and his classification of types of social action. To explain, Weber really points out three different types of models claiming legitimacy. His idea of rational-legal authority has becoming increasingly which has increasingly important to hierarchical relations in modern society. The first model is tradition authority, which can be explained as power legitimized by respect for long-established cultural pattern. Examples of tradition authority can be seen at churches, or certain parenting styles. The second model is rational-legal authority which is also known as bureaucratic authority. This is when power is legitimized by legally enacted rules and regulations such as governments. Another example could be law enforcement such as police. Finally the third model of authority is charismatic authority which is power legitimized by extraordinary personal abilities that inspire devotion and obedience. An important note is that charismatic authority is heavily based upon their following. Examples of charismatic authority could be a president such as Obama, or a pop superstar.
In class discussing and further reading I found charismatic authority to be particularly relevant in today’s music scene, especially when it comes to the artist Bassnectar who is also known as Lorin Ashton. Lorin has proved to be one of the most popular artist in the electric dance world. He has continuously sold out stadiums, and head-lined festivals such as lollapalooza, as well as creating a fan base as the popular burning man playing up to seven concerts per night. The Bassnectar movement has resulted in a community of like-minded fans that refer to themselves as "Bass Heads" and travel frequently to attend his live performance. As an artist with a continuous growing fan-base and shows that are extremely mind controlling I believe Bassnectar is a prime example a current charismatic authoritative figure.
I considering myself to be very adapt in the music world, as a festival goer, and hundreds of shows a year I met fans from all over the world. In the past few years, many of my friends have become what are known as Bass heads. Bass heads attend every Bassnectar show they can and speak very highly of Lorin and his musical abilities. I interviewed two friends who are die hard self-labeled bass heads on exactly why they believe he has such a cult-like following. The first person I spoke to was a fan named Sarud, he commented that Lorin used lights and musical interchangeably to set an ominous mood and encourages the audience to “think for themselves”, shows clips of leaders such as martin Luther king, and shows videos of tribal killings all while mixing music. He also commented that Lorin encourages living free, such as doing drugs, and creating your own life. This was very appealing for Sarud, and he’s seen any artist create an experience like that. Another interviewee Megan an 19 year old girl, said similar things and said Lorin really recognizes his community of fans, and at every concert, and takes a break and gathers everyone to hug in order to take what he calls a “family photo”, during which Lorin faces the photo and his entire fan base is behind him. She continues to say how she feels extremely connected to him although never actually meeting him, and found a true family in the bass head community. The power Lorin has over his fans is extremely strong, and is making him not only millions of dollars per year, but also a making himself into a significant figure in the world.
Through interviews and my own experience with Lorin or Bassnectar it is clear he is a true emerging charismatic authoritative leader. Although he is known as just a musical artist by many, for his bass head fans he is much more - An idol, the father, the god to many of his fans. Personally I believe charismatic authority this is the most influential form of authority today. Of course as a society we still are following authority such as police, and the church. Yet it’s these key leaders such as Bassnectar are shaping our everyday how we live our life, what we do in our free time, and who we see as important. Weber stressing how having a true following is key to charismatic authority, and Lorin definitely achieves that.
In class discussing and further reading I found charismatic authority to be particularly relevant in today’s music scene, especially when it comes to the artist Bassnectar who is also known as Lorin Ashton. Lorin has proved to be one of the most popular artist in the electric dance world. He has continuously sold out stadiums, and head-lined festivals such as lollapalooza, as well as creating a fan base as the popular burning man playing up to seven concerts per night. The Bassnectar movement has resulted in a community of like-minded fans that refer to themselves as "Bass Heads" and travel frequently to attend his live performance. As an artist with a continuous growing fan-base and shows that are extremely mind controlling I believe Bassnectar is a prime example a current charismatic authoritative figure.
I considering myself to be very adapt in the music world, as a festival goer, and hundreds of shows a year I met fans from all over the world. In the past few years, many of my friends have become what are known as Bass heads. Bass heads attend every Bassnectar show they can and speak very highly of Lorin and his musical abilities. I interviewed two friends who are die hard self-labeled bass heads on exactly why they believe he has such a cult-like following. The first person I spoke to was a fan named Sarud, he commented that Lorin used lights and musical interchangeably to set an ominous mood and encourages the audience to “think for themselves”, shows clips of leaders such as martin Luther king, and shows videos of tribal killings all while mixing music. He also commented that Lorin encourages living free, such as doing drugs, and creating your own life. This was very appealing for Sarud, and he’s seen any artist create an experience like that. Another interviewee Megan an 19 year old girl, said similar things and said Lorin really recognizes his community of fans, and at every concert, and takes a break and gathers everyone to hug in order to take what he calls a “family photo”, during which Lorin faces the photo and his entire fan base is behind him. She continues to say how she feels extremely connected to him although never actually meeting him, and found a true family in the bass head community. The power Lorin has over his fans is extremely strong, and is making him not only millions of dollars per year, but also a making himself into a significant figure in the world.
Through interviews and my own experience with Lorin or Bassnectar it is clear he is a true emerging charismatic authoritative leader. Although he is known as just a musical artist by many, for his bass head fans he is much more - An idol, the father, the god to many of his fans. Personally I believe charismatic authority this is the most influential form of authority today. Of course as a society we still are following authority such as police, and the church. Yet it’s these key leaders such as Bassnectar are shaping our everyday how we live our life, what we do in our free time, and who we see as important. Weber stressing how having a true following is key to charismatic authority, and Lorin definitely achieves that.