The election of Donald Trump came as a shock to many Americans. This surprise lead many individuals trying to understand how he could have risen from being the least likely candidate to win, to achieving the electoral victory. When viewing this historical election from a sociological perspective, it become apparent that Trumps character and his promise of reestablishing white privilege played a significant role in his rise and success in the 2016 American elections.
Weber would call trump rise to success as a version of charismatic domination which allows one to gain authority over another just by having a character of personal confidence, revelation, heroism, and leadership qualities (79). Trump gained many followers even with the backlash …show more content…
When viewing his campaign and rallies we see the use of his totem “Make America Great Again” and chants that are carried by his followers. These collective gatherings led to a force and effect on the individuals unifying the group this is called a “collective effervescence”. Durkheim exemplified that this effervescence could explain why when a man is speaking to a crowd his language creates excitement and his gesture become the highest of quality, but in ordinary circumstances his langue and gestures would be ridiculed and reduced (212). In the election, Trump’s rhetoric and character created backlash and was looked down in many areas of society, but his followers could not see this perception, they believed that he was the best leader for their country due to their collective consciousness. This effervescence becomes so intense that it leads them to have outlandish behavior because passions are so high that nothing can hold them back (Durkheim 218). In Trumps case the “collective effervescence” helped him maintain his following because they felt that they were the “majority” or the “right” ones. Although trump has no political knowledge or authority he was looked by his voters as sacred. Durkheim mentions that society can make ordinary things become scared such as; if a society loves a man and they think it has the power to move it, then that man will rise over all others as if it were destiny
Weber would call trump rise to success as a version of charismatic domination which allows one to gain authority over another just by having a character of personal confidence, revelation, heroism, and leadership qualities (79). Trump gained many followers even with the backlash …show more content…
When viewing his campaign and rallies we see the use of his totem “Make America Great Again” and chants that are carried by his followers. These collective gatherings led to a force and effect on the individuals unifying the group this is called a “collective effervescence”. Durkheim exemplified that this effervescence could explain why when a man is speaking to a crowd his language creates excitement and his gesture become the highest of quality, but in ordinary circumstances his langue and gestures would be ridiculed and reduced (212). In the election, Trump’s rhetoric and character created backlash and was looked down in many areas of society, but his followers could not see this perception, they believed that he was the best leader for their country due to their collective consciousness. This effervescence becomes so intense that it leads them to have outlandish behavior because passions are so high that nothing can hold them back (Durkheim 218). In Trumps case the “collective effervescence” helped him maintain his following because they felt that they were the “majority” or the “right” ones. Although trump has no political knowledge or authority he was looked by his voters as sacred. Durkheim mentions that society can make ordinary things become scared such as; if a society loves a man and they think it has the power to move it, then that man will rise over all others as if it were destiny