Cream rising to the top: A weberian analysis of the charismatic history of the French Grandes Ecoles

This thesis focuses on political charisma in France as it became formalised into the administration and organisational structure of the Grandes ~ c o l e s through a process Max Weber refers to as the institutionalisation of charisma. When the institutionalisation of charisma is accompanied by routinisation, it begins to take on what Weber calls traditional and bureaucratic elements and produces a hybrid form. The thesis follows Weber's theoretical approach, drawing on aesthetic and cultural aspects supported by case studies and historical materials. A thematic analysis is provided of the elements of the problems of charisma, with examples to show how cases are to be treated under socio-economic, cultural, and causal factors. This thesis investigates Charlemagne, Louis XN, and Napoleon who contributed to the French educational system via the institutionalisation and routinisation of their personal charisma and that of their administrations.