Comparative Analysis of Weber’s Charismatic Authority and Imam Khomeini’s Role in Leading the Islamic Revolution of Iran

In Islamic revolution of Iran effective role of Imam Khomeini’s leadership caused many thinkers to interpret this revolution based on Max Weber’s theory of charismatic authority. However, due to serious and fundamental distinction between western politics and Imam Khomeini’s movement in bases and concepts, the author believes the distinctions and contradictions have led to deviation and underestimation of Imam Khomeini’s movement in analysis provided based on western politics. Therefore, criticizing Weber’s viewpoint about Iranian revolution and stating characteristics of Imam Khomeini’s leadership, this article has concluded that it is impossible to analyze his leadership based on Weber’s theory of charismatic authority. Instead, non-individuality and rationality of his leadership in Islamic revolution of Iran have been noticed demonstrating the Islamic nature of his leadership while emphasizing the factor of his religious authority and his scientific character, rather than his individual character, with a pivotal role of “jurisprudence” and “justice”.