Question

explain how can different personality attributes shape policy decisions by different leaders?

Answer 1

It's hard to calculate the impacts of personality on decision taking. The theory of interpersonal generalization indicates that behavioral variations in interpersonal situations have some connection with behavioral differences in international contexts, such as a relationship between self-assurance / dominance and the ability to resort to military action. It would, however, be simplistic and over-simplified to say that some personality characteristics of a decision-maker lead a country to war; rather, they can be seen as tilting the balance towards or against a certain agenda, because, to put it succinctly, "some leaders are willing to play their people's fate in war; others are not willing to play their people's fate in war;

It is important to note when examining personality impact on foreign policy that the diverse political contexts surrounding leaders will inevitably establish highly variable boundaries within which they will have the freedom to function. It's a given that a dictator in an authoritarian regime has far greater, absolute, unaccountable power than the leader of a democracy to establish policies that suit his personal interests. In a democracy, the Head of Government is obliged to some degree to take into account the views of other authorities and experts, and may consult with the Foreign Minister in particular on foreign policy.

Society moods set broad limits around the decision-makers ' theoretical foreign policy alternatives. It has been alleged, however, that there is a lack of public interest in foreign policy outside academic circles in international affairs; apparently too remote and insignificant compared with domestic matters. The general public is claimed to be "uninformed and erratic, vulnerable to change of opinion... at worst having non-attitudeswith respect to foreign affairs." This gives the government more freedom of movement than in the formulation and execution of domestic policies, and thus more room for supremacy by important personalities and ideologies.

Personality can impact on foreign policy formulation and execution to varying degrees. While a strategy may be crafted to the specific personal taste of a leader and his colleagues within the relative situational and bureaucratic constraints, the implementation process, translating foreign policy priorities into action and expected outcomes, is more complex. If the boundary between decision-makers and the outside world is crossed, attempts to enforce a policy will interfere with the interests of other actors and the community.