Making a (Political) Career: Young Party Members and Career‐Related Incentives for Party Membership

Abstract

Few empirical studies have investigated career- related incentives for party membership, including for young party members. Through the lens of rational choice, we ask what career-related incentives young and active party members consider when calculating costs and bene- fits of party membership. We argue for a broad understanding of career- related incentives, including careers outside party politics. The study is based on in- depth interviews with 25 young party members in Sweden. Our main empirical finding is that the interviewees experience a ‘super- dilemma’: Although the young party members might consider a political career, they think it is important to leave the party if it departs from their perceived ideology. Hence, these young members must keep non- political career options open. At the same time, many of the interviewees express concern that their party membership could negatively affect their non- political career. Material incentives offer potential members an expectation or hope of personal reward in return for party membership. These personal rewards can range from patronage appoint-ments or government contracts to more general inducements like career advancement. Solidary incentives offer potential participants the company of like- minded individuals and social or recreational opportunities. Purposive incentives afford individuals an opportunity to assist in achieving the party’s collective policy or ideological goal. (2002, 549)