The importance of charisma varies from country to country. Although charisma has become more important in recent years, the focus is increasingly on individual actors rather than countries. In Germany, however, this factor continues to be less important than in the US, for example.
Willy Brandt was one of the few German politicians whose charisma is still remembered today. US presidents, on the other hand, are in the spotlight much more often, where charisma plays a central role.
Dr. Hendrik Ohnesorge emphasized that charisma should initially be viewed as neutral. However, what people do with their charisma varies greatly: charisma can be used for both good and bad purposes. Charisma appeals to emotions. This reduces openness to factual arguments and critical thinking.
The abuse of charisma is called dark charisma. Manipulative, narcissistic, and psychopathic tendencies in particular can promote such dark charisma and enable the abuse of power.
However, charisma is fundamentally at odds with democratic systems. Dr. Hendrik Ohnesorge emphasized that even positive charismatic figures sometimes break rules and disregard existing orders. The line between “leadership and seduction” is a fine one, according to Dr. Hendrik Ohnesorge.