ABSTRACT
In Chapter 1 I proposed that charismatic leaders are especially likely to emerge in non-western societies because of the prevalence of pre-rational, pre-scientific and religious belief systems. Perhaps the prototypical charismatic leader in modern times has been Gandhi who gained the saintly title of ‘Mahatma’ – or ‘great soul’ – through a lifelong devotion to transforming himself, his country and the whole of humanity. Gandhi’s moral conviction ensured that his actions and words were equally consistent in communicating his ethical principles, and his leadership transformed followers; as one commented:
Gandhi has in him the marvellous spiritual power to turn ordinary men around him into heroes and martyrs. In his presence one is ashamed to do anything unworthy and afraid of thinking anything unworthy.1
