When you start a random scenario in Tropico, you can customize your dictator, which has an important effect on the game mechanics. However, the various dictator traits aren't the least bit balanced.
Some choices are definitely more useful than others, but the all cost the same.
For this reason, it would have been nice if your score was affected, but it seems the point of the dictator character is more for role-playing than game balance. It does add a lot of flavor. In making a dictator with the maximum effectiveness as a capitalist, I ended up with a Silver Spoon background, a Capitalist Rebellion rise to power, and a Financial Genius who was Hardworking. Unfortunately, the choice of cowardice was eventually his downfall. My presidency fell during a military coup in which one loyal soldier was shooting it out with one traitor.