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Strong Man or Diplomat: Which Is Better for Capitalism?

We are living in a new era of the "strong man." Tough talk (or Tweets), posturing, and military exercises (or excess) seem to be the order of the day. It's not the first time the US government has taken this kind of international policy approach, which is usually set by the President and determined, for better or worse, by his personality and temperament.


I think it's always important to look back at history and find the lessons it has to teach us. It's especially important when the room has gotten overheated and everyone is running high on emotion. Let's go back, then, and calmly take a peak at some of the more noteworthy leaders and their impact on the American story (nicknames given by their contemporaries).


The Strong Men

Andrew Jackson (1829–1837): "King Andrew"

Jackson is widely considered the most physically and politically aggressive president in US history to date. His default approach was to view disagreement as a personal insult. Jackson was involved in over 100 duels and tavern brawls, and even killed a man for insulting his wife.


Policy examples:

  • The Indian Removal Act - He notoriously ignored the Supreme Court’s ruling in Worcester v. Georgia and forcibly relocated the Cherokee, leading to the Trail of Tears.

  • The Nullification Crisis - When South Carolina attempted to nullify federal tariffs,

    Jackson threatened to lead an army into the state and hang his own Vice President, John C. Calhoun.


Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909): "The Old Lion"

Roosevelt regularly used the strong-arm approach with his famous "Big Stick" diplomacy, which made the threat of military force a primary negotiation tool. Energetic, determined, forceful and audacious, Teddy Roosevelt followed his own path.


Policy examples:

  • The Panama Canal - When Colombia rejected his terms for a canal zone,

    Roosevelt bypassed diplomacy, supported a Panamanian revolution, and used a naval blockade to prevent Colombian troops from responding.

  • The Great White Fleet - He sent 16 battleships on a global world tour primarily to intimidate Japan and European empires with American naval might.

  • The Roosevelt Corollary - He declared the US the "international police power" of the Western Hemisphere, justifying repeated military interventions in Latin America.


Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969): "A Tornado in Pants"

Johnson was a master of personal strong-arming. He used his height and intense demeanor to force subordinates and other politicians into submission. LBJ was known for his caustic, bullying personality and regularly disrespected his staff and members of Congress.


Policy examples:

  • The "Treatment" - He would loom over people, grab their clothes, and use blackmail or crude humiliation to push through legislation.

  • Vietnam War - His default in foreign policy was to aggressively escalate the conflict, often ignoring military reports and public criticism to double down on a failing strategy.



George W. Bush (2001–2009) "Decider-in-Chief"

Bush's charming and charismatic personality belied his reliance on force as a primary problem solver. Bush frequently employed strong-arm tactics and assertive policies to expand executive authority and reshape foreign relations. These aggressive tactics were seen in his use of executive privilege to shield agency discussions from congressional oversight, reinforcing a model that centralized authority within the White House.


Policy examples:

  • Bush Doctrine – Bush established a policy of preemptive war and unilateral action–exemplified by the 2003 invasion of Iraq–despite significant international and domestic opposition.

  • Patriot Act – He established military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay and the authorization of warrantless surveillance and enhanced interrogation techniques, often justifying these Constitutionally-challenged measures under a broad interpretation of Commander-in-Chief powers.


Donald Trump (2017–2021; 2025–Present): "Mr. Tariff"

Trump’s approach, particularly in his second term beginning in 2025, has cemented coercive economic tactics as an SOP. He has been widely characterized as having high levels of extraversion, assertiveness, and dominance, often resulting in an aggressive and spontaneous public persona.


Policy examples:

  • Trade Wars - His default method for achieving diplomatic goals is the use of high-intensity tariffs and economic threats to force concessions from both allies and adversaries.

  • Gunboat Echoes - The kidnapping of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and questionable legality of attacking alleged drug boats has been described by as a return to the era of "gunboat diplomacy".

  • Attack on Iran - bypassing traditional diplomatic restraint, the current conflict has been characterized by threats ("a whole civilization will die tonight") and a shifting deadline for peace. The unlooked for Iranian response of locking down the Gulf of Hormoz has led to a shortage of oil, fertilizer, and other needed goods around the world.


These men share a number of not-so-desirable personality traits: egocentrism, aggressiveness, and close-mindedness. A person's temperament is, more often than not, the foundation for how she or he will behave. In the case of these men, a narcissistic tendency was and is a significant factor in how they react to challenges, as people who exhibit these traits are more prone to aggression, especially when threatened or provoked in some way.


The Diplomats


Contrast this group with the next, US Presidents who are noted for achieving their goals through diplomacy:


Washington’s primary diplomatic goal was the survival of the young republic, which he achieved through strategic restraint. Characterized by integrity, honor, humility, respect, and self control, Washington remains the exemplary model for US presidents.


Policy examples:

  • Proclamation of Neutrality (1793) - He resisted immense pressure to side with France in its war with Britain, knowing a new war would ruin the fragile US economy.

  • The Jay Treaty (1794) - Although unpopular at the time, this treaty settled outstanding issues with Great Britain and secured a decade of peaceful trade that allowed the US to pay off its debts.


Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809): "The Sage of Monticello"

Jefferson’s greatest presidential achievement, The Louisiana Purchase, was a masterstroke of diplomacy that doubled the size of the country without a single shot being fired. He was known for his selflessness, openness, simplicity, and intellect and served as a diplomat to several foreign nations before becoming president.


Policy examples:

  • Treaty with Prussia & Consular Convention with France (1785 & 1788) - Jefferson negotiated these pivotal, early diplomatic agreements for the United States, which included commerce agreements and humane treatment for war prisoners.

  • Louisiana Purchase (1803) - He leveraged France’s military failures in Haiti and its financial needs for the Napoleonic Wars to purchase the Louisiana Territory for $15 million. By choosing to buy rather than conquer, he avoided a multi-generational war with France or Spain over the American interior.



John Quincy Adams (1825–1829): "Old Man Eloquent"

Before and during his presidency, Adams was arguably the most experienced diplomat in US history, having served as a minister to four different European nations. Although his personality was seen as austere and reserved, these qualities were countered by his commitment to public service and negotiation.


Policy examples:

  • Treaty of Ghent (1814) - As a diplomat, he helped negotiate the end of the War of 1812.

  • Monroe Doctrine - As Secretary of State, he was the primary author of this doctrine, using words rather than warships to assert U.S. influence over the Western Hemisphere.

  • Transcontinental Treaty (1819) - He successfully negotiated with Spain to acquire Florida and define the U.S. boundary all the way to the Pacific Ocean without going to war.


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Jimmy Carter (1977–1981): "The Mediator"

Carter is often cited as the quintessential diplomatic president, prioritizing human rights and non-violent conflict resolution over military intervention. People have described Carter as honest, moral, humble, and determined.


Policy examples:

  • Camp David Accords (1978) - In his most famous achievement, he personally mediated between Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat for 13 days, resulting in the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab neighbor.

  • Panama Canal Treaties - Despite intense domestic opposition, he negotiated the return of the canal to Panama to avoid a potential guerrilla war and secure long-term regional stability.

  • Normalization with China - He completed the process of formalizing diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1979, which had been stalled for decades.


George H.W. Bush (1989–1993): "The Coalition Builder"

Ironically, this Bush stands in direct contrast to his son when it comes to foreign affairs. Bush Sr. is highly regarded by historians for his soft power during one of the most volatile periods of the 20th century. A accomplished man from a prominent family, Bush exhibited the unexpected qualities of humility and genuine politeness, as well as loyalty and moderation.


Policy examples:

  • End of the Cold War - He managed the peaceful collapse of the Soviet Union and the reunification of Germany through quiet, personal "rolodex diplomacy" with Mikhail Gorbachev and European leaders.

  • Gulf War Coalition - Unlike many "strong-arm" leaders, he refused to act alone, instead building a massive 35-nation international coalition with a clear UN mandate and a defined exit strategy.


These men also share personality traits: humility, respect for others, and integrity. It's not too difficult to see that with these qualities, a person would be more likely to seek a win-win situation for everyone involved, rather than force his will on others to gain a short-term, one-sided advantage.


Which Is Better for the Economy?

So much for the history lesson. Which approach–strong man or diplomat–is better for long-term economic growth? Here's a side-by-side comparison of the two opposing tactics:


Strong-Arm Tactics and Unilateralism

Strong-arm tactics—such as aggressive tariffs, military intervention, or unilateral sanctions—are often used to achieve rapid, specific political goals, but they frequently carry long-term economic costs.

  • Rapid Pursuit of Goals: Unilateralism allows a country to act quickly without the delays of international consensus but can create distrust.

  • Retaliation Risks: Protectionist measures like tariffs often trigger "trade wars," where retaliatory barriers from other nations harm domestic exporters and raise costs for consumers.

  • Negative Spillovers: Aggressive trade policies against one partner (i.e. tariffs on the U.S. or China) can have significant negative effects on third-party countries and global supply chains.

  • Wealth Concentration: While such tactics can benefit specific domestic industries (like import-competing firms), they often do so at the expense of the broader population's welfare.


Diplomacy and Multilateralism

Diplomacy fosters a rules-based world order that reduces market volatility and encourages long-term investment.

  • Openness and Growth: Economies that maintain open-policy administrations and trade typically grow 1.5 to 2 percentage points faster than closed ones.

  • Predictability: Adherence to the rule of law and international agreements provides the certainty businesses need to innovate and invest.

  • Cost Sharing: Multilateralism allows nations to pool resources to tackle global challenges like climate change or pandemics, which would be prohibitively expensive to manage alone.

  • Consumer Benefits: Trade agreements consistently lower consumer prices and improve job quality by opening new markets.


Summary Table: Long-Term Growth Impact

Strategy

Primary Mechanism

Long-Term Economic Outcome

Strong-Arm



Tariffs, sanctions, executive mandates, and armed conflict

Volatile: Can protect specific sectors but often reduces overall welfare and triggers retaliation

Diplomacy

Trade agreements, rule of law, and alliances

Positive & Stable: Correlated with higher GDP growth and lower inequality


The answer is clear. True strength is found in creating lasting peace and prosperity. While some strong-arm tactics might be useful in the short term to bring about crisis resolution or when dealing with another nation's strong man, diplomacy is the champion of long-term economic gains. The strong-arm approach is a temporary ego-boost; the diplomatic approach brings about on-going economic stability without the chaos, resentment, and liability that the other usually leaves in its wake.


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