Under what conditions might it be more fruitful to examine leader characteristics?

1. EXAMINING
LEADER’S
CHARACTERI
STICS IN
FOREIGN
POLICY
ANALYSIS
BOOK: Foreign Policy Analysis: Classic
and Contemporary Theory (2020)
AUTHOR (S): Valerie M. Hudson &
Benjamin S. Day
EDITION: Third
PAGE: 40-41
IFTIKHAR KHATTAK
M.Phil Scholar
International Islamic University,
Islamabad

2. Examining Leader’s
Characteristics
1. REGIME TYPE:
 Regime type may play a role to examine leader characteristics.
 Different regime types offer different levels of constraint on the
leader’s control of policy. For example, Kim Jong-un’s North
Korea, a dictator.
 Nevertheless, it must be kept in mind that there is no regime
type that precludes (stops) a leader’s personal influence on
policy altogether, as have seen with Donald Trump and the
United States.

3. 2. LEADER’S INTEREST:
 It matters whether a leader is interested in foreign policy.
 Otherwise, it may delegate a large measure of authority to subordinates,
in which case it would be vital to identify and examine their
characteristics as well.
 For example, after World War II, Francisco Franco openly commented on
his disinterest in foreign affairs, delegating most decision-making power to
his foreign minister.
 Nevertheless, over the years his foreign minister began to make choices
that did not sit well with Franco, and eventually the minister was
dismissed.

4. Even a disinterested leader can become interested if the
context is right.
Leaders who have an emotional response to the issues
under discussion because of prior experience or memory
are also likely to leave more of a personal imprint on
foreign policy.
When dealing with Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, it mattered
that President George W. Bush knew Hussein had tried to
assassinate his father, George H. W. Bush.