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The expectations of President Barack Obama have been high since his performance at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. Political psychologists and others debate to what extent and in what way personality has an effect on foreign policy decision making and the foreign policy behaviour of states. A cognitive approach is the study of belief systems and their role in policy making.

This thesis analyses the political beliefs of Barack Obama in a deductive content analysis of his written and spoken texts, generating a description of his operational code, a theoretical and methodological concept that provides a structured way of conducting qualitative analysis of political beliefs. The thesis argues that political science needs both qualitative and quantitative ones in order to produce valid and useful political portraits of world leaders.

The findings suggest that a foundational belief of Barack Obama is the interdependence between individuals and society, a belief that directs his view on politicians and politics. They also suggest that he views the world as a both militarily and economically competitive and conflictual place, where an active American leadership will forward American interests and keep the country secure.