Discuss the classification of presidential personalities as outlined by James David Barber and provide examples of presidents who fit within each of his classifications.
What will be an ideal response?
While most presidents tend to share the characteristic of big ambition and large egos, they are not otherwise all the same. Numerous studies have been conducted that have provided classification schemes of presidential personalities, in an effort to better explain, or perhaps predict, how presidents will behave in various circumstances. James David Barber classified presidents based on energy level and their positive or negative orientation toward life. Barber claims that some of our best and most popular presidents, such as Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama, have been active-positives. Their energy levels appeared high and they reflected a positive orientation toward their office. Others were classified as passive-negatives. This group acted out of a sense of duty or obligation toward their role. Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush were classified as passive-positive presidents who embraced the role of leader but believed more strongly in the importance of delegation and setting the tone as opposed to filling a more active policymaking role. Barber claims Richard Nixon was an example of an active-negative president with lots of energy but a strong dislike of the office itself. Donald Trump falls into the category of negative-negative. He does not give the impression that he enjoys the job and his actions reflect a strong longing for his old way of life.
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