Citation

Gerth H. Am. J. Sociol. 1940; 45(4): 517-541.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1940, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/218372

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The National Socialist party can be explained as a fusion of two types of domination-charismatic and bureaucratic. The charismatic claim to leadership means that no status on the basis of specialized achievement can be accorded without the approval of the leader. He delegates powers to his faithful followers, the "inner circle," selected on the basis of his personal preference. There is no party democracy because all authority emanates from the leader. The bureaucratic nature of the organization attracts those with bureaucratic backgrounds, and hence there is a preponderance of teachers among the functionaries. The disadvantaged, with their great disparity between self-esteem and status, accept the charismatic leadership. Thus there is a heavy representation of the middle class. Youth is attracted by the charismatic aspect. The liquidation of existing bureaucracies leads to competition among the "inner circle" in organizing new bureaucracies and this leads to much duplication of agencies. No one can enter the civil service without the approval of the local party leader. The new bureaucracy is less rigid than the old Prussian bureaucracy because of the arbitrary conduct of police, judicial, and economic departments and because of the lower achievement level of the trained experts.