Neo-Royalism Framework Applied to Trump’s Foreign Policy Patterns

Researchers have introduced the concept of neo-royalism to describe patterns in international relations, focusing on elite networks and personalized power structures. This framework has been applied to analyze the foreign policy approach of Donald Trump’s administration.

The term “neo-royalism” was first published in a scholarly article by Stacie E. Goddard and Abraham Newman in the journal International Organization on November 20, 2025. According to the authors, neo-royalism describes a system where a small group of hyper-elites, or cliques, extract resources and status through claims of exceptionalism.

Goddard and Newman state that this model differs from both the Westphalian order, which emphasizes sovereign equality, and the liberal international order, which relies on rules-based institutions. Instead, neo-royalism centers on hierarchy, personalized networks, and the pursuit of material or status gains by elite groups.

The authors apply this framework to the Trump administration, noting that Trump’s foreign policy relied on a network of family members, loyalists, and elite capitalists. They point out that Trump’s first international trip was to meet dynastic rulers in the Middle East, who, according to the authors, treated him in a manner consistent with the neo-royalist model.

What the numbers show

• The term “neo-royalism” was published on November 20, 2025
• Trump’s first international visit as president was to Middle Eastern dynastic rulers
• Four distinct media sources have summarized or reported on the framework

Media reports have summarized the neo-royalist framework, highlighting Trump’s interactions with Middle Eastern leaders as an example of this emerging system. According to Deutsche Welle, Trump’s preference for engaging with “strong men” in the region aligns with the neo-royalist emphasis on elite networks and resource extraction.

Further explanations from Newman, as reported by Deutsche Welle and Mother Jones, clarify that neo-royalism is not centered on individual personalities but rather on governance by elite cliques organized around political leaders. This approach operates outside traditional state-centric rules, with the state itself not always serving as the primary actor.

CRBC News describes neo-royalism as a style of diplomacy where formal institutions are bypassed in favor of personalized deal-making. This style can blur the distinction between public messaging and branding, and mix national interests with private opportunities, according to the report.

Additional analysis from CRBC News notes that, under neo-royalist logic, foreign governments may focus on building relationships with a leader’s personal network rather than engaging with official institutions. This can result in volatility, as outcomes may depend on loyalty and personal connections rather than established policy channels.

CRBC News also highlights potential risks associated with neo-royalism, including ambiguity in diplomatic commitments and instability when agreements reflect personal signals rather than official policy. The report states that Goddard and Newman identify succession as a particular challenge in neo-royalist systems, as unclear obligations and clientelist networks may complicate leadership transitions.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.