Question

David Barber tried to explain differences in presidential performance by analyzing the character of previous presidents. What were the two dimensions along which he suggested presidential character might be analyzed? Describe the personality type he saw as the most and least desirable? How do you see the current president fitting in? YOU MUST PROVIDE EXAMPLES.

Answer 1

• The core of the argument (which organizes the structure of the book) is that Presidential character—the basic stance a man takes toward his Presidential experience—comes in four varieties. The most important thing to know about a President or candidate is where he fits among these types, defined according to (a) how active he is and (b) whether or not he gives the impression he enjoys political life." Barber proposes two baseline concepts that he describes by their polarities.
• The first concept is active/passive, and the second is positive/negative. These baselines comprise the dimensions of a four cell matrix with the cells being the four character types that Barber considers to be crucial.
• Barber pointed out that presidents could be divided into four psychological types, which he called “active-positive,” “active-negative,” “passive-positive,” and “passive-negative.”
• James Barber published a well-known study of presidential character in which he studied personalities in order to predict presidential performance. Barber believes that Presidents can be categorized as having "positive" or "negative" attitudes, and as being "active" or "passive."
• His findings indicate that "positive active" Presidents are more successful than passive/negative ones. For example, Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt had positive active personalities. According to Barber, their personalities cause them to approach the presidency with enthusiasm and a drive to lead and succeed.
• Barber makes a strong point that the active-negative type is the most potentially dangerous and least desirable of the four types. An observer following Barber's scheme would not have voted for Thomas Jefferson in 1796. The issue of self-esteem needs to be considered.
• As previously noted, Barber's model suggests that self-esteem is the distinguishing characteristic and that a candidate with high self-esteem is the most favorable. Jefferson undoubtedly had high self-esteem. He was one of the most prolific writers in American history and believed that he could change the course of American history through his writings.
• In the case of Thomas Jefferson, Barber's model does not prove to be productive. Barber has devoted much time to presidential studies, and it is likely that he can make informed predictions. However, his model needs to be clarified and refined before it can be consistently used by a larger circle of knowledgeable presidential observers.