Leadership vs. dealership in democracies: Modi and Trump

A tale of two leadership styles

Two alphabets—L and D—in the first and fourth positions of the rhyming words LEADER and DEALER make a world of difference in the dynamic tapestry of modern democracies. Let us consider India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President Donald Trump, who illustrate contrasting approaches to power. The former is driven by long-term national visions, the latter focuses on short-term, transactional pragmatism—often with personal gain in mind.

While quantifying these qualities is inherently subjective, this piece, from an author born in India and now living in the United States, aims to offer a thought-provoking perspective.

Narendra Modi: 80% leader, 20% dealer

Modi’s leadership has consistently emphasized a grand vision of national renaissance: an India rising from the shadows of colonial history to become a ‘Developed’ nation by 2047. His oratory and political messaging invoke civilizational pride and a sense of collective purpose. Modi embodies the classic hallmarks of leadership—a vision that extends beyond electoral cycles. His repeated electoral successes highlight how his message of Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas, Sab ka Prayas, Sab ka Vishwas resonates with millions.

At the same time, Modi is no stranger to the 20% of political deal-making. Examples include the alliances with regional parties and global leaders, strategic silences on divisive issues, and shrewd management of intra-party rivalries. His approach weaves together Hindutva-inflected nationalism, economic modernization, and a push for global stature for Bharat and its 1.4 billion people.

In the current conflict between India and Pakistan (Operation Sindoor), he has demonstrated decisive leadership, bringing the nation together across religious and regional divides. His doctrine is clear: terrorism and those who harbor terrorists will be dealt with firmly, undeterred by nuclear threats. While there is undeniable political messaging here, Modi has fostered a powerful sense of nationalism and national pride.

Modi’s trustworthiness at home garners mixed reviews. His repeated victories suggest a large portion of India sees him as a credible champion of national interests. Internationally, however, his record is more nuanced. He has raised India’s global profile and received numerous international accolades, but the Western media often criticizes his handling of dissent and erosion of democratic institutions. I suspect this criticism stems from rivalry and unease in the West as India, now the world’s fourth-largest economy, asserts itself. Putting it bluntly, the West does not have the stomach to swallow “Rising India.”

Donald Trump: 20% leader, 80% dealer

Trump, in contrast, epitomizes the dealer mindset: transactional, fixated on short-term gains, and obsessed with personal image, often at the expense of the dignity of the Oval Office. His presidency is marked by the art of deal-making—trade wars, transactional foreign policy, and constant recalibration of alliances based on perceived self-interest. Trump’s worldview is rarely about a long-term American ethos and more about immediate wins, often self-serving. There is a growing sense of friction, fear, and fallout among nations, with people and students feeling unwelcome in the United States

His blunt, combative, and conspiratorial communication style undermines faith in democratic norms and institutions. Even among his supporters, trust is shaky—his narratives lack a shared national mission. His slogans like “Make America Great Again” evoke a nostalgic populism rather than a forward-looking vision. This absence of a cohesive national project has eroded America’s global standing, leaving allies like Canada and Mexico feeling more like business partners than collaborators in a shared mission.

Global standing

Both have been criticized for populist tendencies and for eroding democratic guardrails in their respective countries. Yet the key difference is the presence of a shared national mission: Modi is known for nation-building; Trump, for brand-building. This difference between a leader’s long-term vision and a dealer’s immediate transaction is reflected in India’s momentum toward renewal and America’s gradual drift into disarray.

Modi’s global standing has risen consistently. He has cultivated a friendlier image across ideological divides, forging ties from the US to Russia. Under his leadership, India has grown diplomatically, economically, and in international stature, as seen in the global response to recent terrorist attacks by Pakistan.

Trump, by contrast, leaned toward isolationism and personal aggrandizement, reinforcing perceptions of the US as a self-interested hegemon. His impulsive style, tweets, and disregard for norms have left allies wary, undermining the trust essential to democratic leadership.

Concluding reflections

The difference between Modi and Trump is not just a matter of personality but of how they approach democratic leadership itself. Modi, for better or worse, has a vision that transcends his political survival. Trump, meanwhile, sees governance as a series of transactions and personal gains.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
3. The author acknowledges the assistance of Chat GPT in the final editing of the contents.

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