Foreign Policy- Individual Model

Multiple factors affect a leader’s capacity to lead his or her country. The human factor- A leader’s self-image, self-interest, psychological drives, and the political and circumstantial constraints that limit what leaders can accomplish and control. Under what conditions are their personal characteristics influential?
That depends on the individual, the time, and circumstances. The impact or influence of of personal characteristics are tempered by the individual’s worldview, political style, motivation to hold certain positions, their interest and training in foreign affairs, the foreign policy climate at the start of their political career, and how the leader was socialized into his or her present position.
Certain circumstances enhance an individuals potential influence. New situations free leaders from conventional approaches; complex situations which involve many factors; and situations without social sanctions. The impact of a leader’s personal characteristics on their states’ foreign policy is proportional to their legitimacy and acceptance by citizens. ( The effect of this may play itself out in a number of ways: 1- leader is constantly pressed to produce, 2- leader employs public relations to convince the public he or she is looking after their interests, 3-…).
Other factors include: a leader’s political efficacy or self-image, a leader’s self interest, responding in terms of their private needs and psychological drives; the amount of information available on an issue- the more information, the more possible a rational decision will be reached; the timing of a leader’s assumption of power; a national crisis that tends to give leaders more control over foreign policy making (give examples).
Given all these factors, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the history-making individuals model of foreign policy.