Immature leadership: Donald Trump and the American presidency

• Published in: International affairs (London) 2020-03, Vol.96 (2), p.383-400
• Main Author: Drezner, Daniel W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Decision making; Foreign policy; Judicial powers; Leadership; Political power; Politics; Presidential powers; Psychology; Subordinates; Temper tantrums; Trump, Donald J
• ISSN: 0020-5850; 1468-2346
• DOI: 10.1093/ia/iiaa009

Abstract There has been a renaissance in the study of how the backgrounds of individual leaders affect foreign policy outcomes. Donald Trump's presidency highlights the limits of this approach. Trump's psychology is so unique, and so akin to that of a small child, that studying his background alone is insufficient to explain his decision-making. The evidence for this characterization of Trump's leadership comes not from his political opponents, but his allies, staffers and subordinates. Trump's lack of impulse control, short attention span and frequent temper tantrums have all undercut his effectiveness as president as compared to his predecessors. Nonetheless, the 45th president helps to clarify ongoing debates in American politics about the relative strength of the presidency as an institution. In particular, the powers of the presidency have become so enhanced that even comparatively weak and inexperienced leaders can execute dramatic policy shifts. The formal checks on presidential power, from the legislative, judicial and executive branches have all eroded. Similarly, the informal checks on the presidency had also degraded before Trump's inauguration. This article uses Trump's presidency—and his severe limitations as a decision-maker—to highlight the ways in which even a weak leader can affect change by holding a powerful office.