Personality and Politics
Obama For and Against Himself
- Stephen J. Wayne - Georgetown University, USA
Renowned presidential scholar Stephen Wayne takes a close look at the interplay of personal character, partisan politics, and public opinion on presidential decision-making. In this systematic character study, Wayne considers how President Obama’s policy beliefs and operating style fueled his meteoric success as a candidate, but have had a decidedly mixed impact on his governance as president. Arguing that character matters, Wayne shows that Obama’s personal dimensions both contribute and detract from his policy achievements and political goals.
Taking into account the environment in which he took office up through the “shellacking” of the Democrats in November 2010, the book looks at how Obama has dealt with the troubled economy and a polarized political climate. Wayne sets his study within the larger literature on presidential character and explores the broader questions surrounding presidential leadership in a democratic society: Do presidents lead or follow public opinion? To what extent do leadership skills make a difference? What kind of policy and political impact can presidents have in the twenty-first century?
The impact of presidential personality on governing in the
White House is one of the great puzzles of presidential politics. There
is no one better than Steve Wayne at helping us solve this puzzle and
achieve a better understanding of the Obama presidency
This fine book goes a long way toward capturing the essence of the complex, elusive, and politically important Barack Obama.
Stephen Wayne combines the rigor of a political scientist with
the insights of a psychologist to explain how President Obama’s
character intersects with politics to produce the policies of his
administration. Wayne explores the tensions between Obama’s ideals and
the reality of American politics as well as the fissures between his
transformational vision and his transactional style. If you want to know
what makes Obama tick, this book is a good place to start
An excellent introduction to the study of personality and politics, offering a comprehensive review of President Obama.
