Presidential Smarts Come at a Foreign Policy Cost

Does being good at foreign policy make presidents worse domestically? This analysis examines U.S. presidencies from 1953 to 2001, finding that effective international performance often comes with trade-offs for domestic legislative success.

Data & Methods

Researchers analyzed presidential approval ratings and major foreign policy initiatives against key legislative outputs like bills signed into law or votes on significant bills.

Key Findings

• Presidents excelling in foreign policy saw reduced descriptive representation scores at home. • This pattern held across various administrations despite different political contexts. • The "competency cost" appears substantial enough to impact overall presidential effectiveness.

Why It Matters

These findings complicate our understanding of how presidents should balance international and domestic responsibilities.