What is the author's style in Foundation by Isaac Asimov?

Asimov divides the Foundation into five parts: the Psychohistorians, the Encyclopedists, the Mayors, the Traders and the Merchant Princes. He designs each part to cover a phase in the development of the Foundation. In the first part, Hari Seldon forces the Emperor to fund a scientific base on the planet Terminus. On the planet scientists write an encyclopedia aimed to help the next generation cope better with Seldon's predicted disaster. However, their dedication to the Encyclopedia blinds them to their vulnerability from attack and the second part details Hardin's overthrow of the Encyclopedists and his development of a sound political structure. The third part continues with Hardin's reign, covering how well his system works to prevent war. However, there is also an atmosphere of discontent among younger political leaders, which suggests the Foundation needs to change again to make progress. Asimov covers this change in the fourth part when Ponyet's innovative trading methods prove the power of consumerism. In the fifth part, religious control is deteriorating and the environment is right for a Master Trader like Hober Mallow to move in and buy his way to the top.

In general, each part is plot driven and the characters are one-dimensional. Each chapter is like a single episode taking part in one setting and revolving around a dialogue that serves to express the character's political beliefs rather than any information about their private lives. In fact the reader knows very little of any character's background. By doing this, Asimov leaves himself free to communicate his ideas within the structure of an exciting plot.