"Like the political institutions historically preceding it, the state is a relation of men dominating men, a
relation supported by means of legitimate (i.e. considered to be legitimate) violence. If the state is to exist,
the dominated must obey the authority claimed by the powers that be. When and why do men obey? Upon
what inner justifications and upon what external means does this domination rest...
There is the authority of the extraordinary and personal gift of grace(charisma), the absolutely personal
devotion and personal confidence in revelation, heroism, or other qualities of individual leadership. This is
'charismatic' domination, as exercised by the prophet or--in the field of politics--by the elected war lord, the
plebiscitarian ruler, the great demagogue, or the political party leader."
This quotaion by Weber highlights the relation between a state and it's citizens, specifically the role of obeying authority. Weber describes that there is a justification for the domination of a man upon another man. One of these "legitimatations of domination" is a charismatic leader. Charismatic leaders tend to be chosen, because they inspire confidence and to a certain degree have heroic qualities. These charismatic leaders are able to exercise their authority upon their peers, by way of eloquent speech or inspire through actions. This is the case with President Obama,who was able to use his charismatic personality to inspire young voters to vote for him. He was the "ideal type" of president.
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