Reflection on Weber and Messiahs

I think that one of the more relevant parts of our discussion on Tuesday might actually be the idea of the “messiah as a vocation.” It seems like many of the political candidates out there are trying to be messiahs rather than politicians. If only s/he is elected, the face of not only politics but America will be changed forever. And while that’s all well and good, I for one would appreciate a bit more practicality and a bit less prophesying.

It seems also that we’ve wedded ourselves to the idea that only the person who sits in the proverbial “big chair” can change the way things are. I think that ties in with what Phil is saying about a lack collective action in Dune and with messiahs in general; it seems as though most energized politicos are waiting for The Politician who is going to come along and right all of the wrongs in the world, when really they need to get up and do something about the issues they care about themselves. Instead, those who don’t wait for the right politicians are put into the activist box by most Americans, and consigned to the political fringes. While I’m not advocating for the Monkey Wrench Gang, I think a little work on the part of the people who are willing to cheer for the rock star politician, but not attempt to affect change themselves wouldn’t be amiss. Of course that borders on the idealism that Weber warns against, but then again his lecture is addressed to politicians, so maybe a little less cynicism on the part of the average citizen could actually be a positive thing. I for one would be interested to hear what he would have said about idealism on the part of the citizen rather than the citizen as voter.