Abstract of the paper: Although scholars have long understood the importance
of psychology in international affairs, morality has often
been overlooked as a factor in world leaders' decision-
making. This article seeks to fill this gap by introducing a
new analytical tool: the moral portrait, a descriptive sum-
mary of a leader's moral values. The tool is built on the
five cross- cultural values of Moral Foundations Theory
(Care, Fairness, Loyalty, Authority, and Sanctity) and the
methodological approach of operational code. As a case
study, the moral portrait of Russian President Vladimir
Putin is inferred from his rhetoric, policies, and decisions.
Putin's moral portrait, specifically his interpretations of
the Fairness, Loyalty, and Authority values, can help ex-
plain many of his views and actions, including his decision
to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Highlight of the article. Morality likely plays a role in guiding world leaders' behavior, so enhancing our un-
derstanding of moral values could help scholars understand (and potentially predict)
leaders' decisions.
• Built on the findings of Moral Foundations Theory and the methodology of opera-
tional code, moral portraits are a proposed method for inferring how leaders' weigh
and express five cross- cultural moral values.
• A case study of Russian President Vladimir Putin demonstrates how moral portraits
can describe the causes of major world events, such as the 2022 full-scale Russian
invasion of Ukraine.
• Policy makers and practitioners stand to benefit from moral portraits in a range of
domains, such as developing strategies of deterrence and negotiation.
The operational code requires you answer two questions. 1. How does the leader weigh each value relative to the others (i.e., high, medium, or
low importance)? 2. How is each value expressed?
Using operational code as a method for identifying leaders' moral foundations (with an application to Putin)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
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