Current leaders don’t care what the public wants. They do what they want. Netanyahu and Trump are examples
The story is told of Alexandre Auguste Ledru-Rollin, a French interior minister during the revolt of 1848, who was in a meeting in his office when a tumult broke out outside and he saw a mob running down the street below. He leapt to his feet: “I am their leader!” he gasped. “I must follow them!”
Such is the tale of political leadership in many parts of the democratic world—leaders feel impelled to follow the public and not the other way around. The modern equivalent is the tale of the politician, trying to decide what stand to take on a contentious issue, being advised by a political consultant: “It doesn’t matter what you think. Look at what the polls say and then tell them that’s what you think.”
But this conventional wisdom is showing every sign of being upended in our current turbulent times. Suddenly, we are being faced with leaders who don’t care what their public wants—they know what they want and they will do it anyway.
Recent polls in Israel, for instance, reveal that a majority of Israelis support ending the war in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas. Specifically, 69 per cent of respondents favour such a deal, while 21 per cent oppose it. Among coalition voters, 54 per cent support the deal, compared to 32 per cent who oppose it. And yet, the Israeli government continues to prosecute the war, extending it further and capturing more swathes of Gaza even at the risk of imperilling the lives of the remaining hostages.
Similarly, March surveys indicate that 47.8 per cent of the Israeli public want Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept responsibility for the October 7 events and resign; an additional 24.7 per cent want him to accept responsibility, but resign only at the end of the war. Only 9.7 per cent responded that he need neither accept responsibility nor resign. Yet, far from resigning, he has redoubled his hold on power and carries on prosecuting a war that has had devastating consequences on hundreds of thousands of people.
President Trump is another leader whose drastic decisions are not rooted in American public opinion. The dramatic televised White House showdown with President Zelensky is still fresh in people’s minds, but a recent poll showed that 52 per cent of Americans support Ukraine. Another poll, last month, found that 50 per cent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s foreign-policy moves, and only 37 per cent approve—a 15 per cent decline in net approval since January.
Public opinion polls show that many of Trump’s disruptive policies, particularly his tariff strategies, are unpopular with a majority of Americans. For instance, 75 per cent of respondents believe his tariffs will increase prices in the short term, and 49 per cent feel financially worse off due to his policies. Despite this, Trump has maintained his stance, suggesting he feels indifferent to public opinion on the issue.
Public opinion polls often act as both a guide and a constraint for political leaders, shaping their decisions and strategies. Leaders who defy public sentiment risk political fallout, but history shows that some have prevailed despite going against the grain.
Historically, leaders who defy public sentiment often face backlash but can prevail if their policies yield tangible benefits. Trump’s approach reflects his belief in negotiating strength and his willingness to endure short-term unpopularity for perceived long-term gains. Whether this strategy will ultimately succeed depends on whether his policies deliver the promised results.
Abraham Lincoln faced significant opposition during the American Civil War, particularly over the Emancipation Proclamation. Public sentiment was divided and largely unfavourable, yet Lincoln’s steadfast commitment to abolishing slavery ultimately cemented his legacy as one of the greatest US presidents.
In more recent times, Angela Merkel defied public opinion in Germany by opening the country’s borders to refugees in 2015. While her decision faced backlash, and undermined her popularity, it underscored her humanitarian values and ultimately strengthened her reputation as a global leader.
So, while the Ledru-Rollin school of “leadership” has not wholly disappeared from view, it may be yielding, around the world, to a politics of personal conviction. While public opinion polls are influential, leaders who act with conviction and a long-term vision can overcome immediate opposition and leave a lasting impact. Whether that impact is for the good or otherwise, only time—not the polls—will tell.
editor@theweek.in
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