The effect of a state leader’s personality on foreign policy projection : a case study of Mintoff's foreign policy towards the Mediterranean

Abstract

This paper reviews the effects of personality upon a state’s foreign policy output. The objective of this dissertation is to answer the question– In what ways is a state’s foreign policy influenced by the state leader? The main hypothesis is that the character and personality traits of a leader do in fact affect foreign policy decision making. The hypothesis is applied to a case study assessing Dom Mintoff’s personality and Mediterranean foreign policy. Leader’s personality traits and the contextual world order actors find themselves in, plays a determining role within foreign policy decision making. Operating within the international structure of the community of states, state leaders aim to use the power of negotiation, imagination, emotionality, strategic crisis management and rhetoric to maximise their respective state’s interest. This paper endeavours to make a connection between a leader's personality traits and foreign policy decision making. The overarching agreement within the literature is in line with the hypothesis of the dissertation, as there is agreement that the variables in question do in fact have an impact. The data for this project was collected through a qualitative research method. Two elite interviews were conducted towards the end of the research process. These findings indicate that whilst personality does in fact play a significant role in a state’s foreign policy, the level of affect is based upon a number of factors– ranging from regime type, to the individual characteristics of the leader himself.