The kids are alright: Aspiring political staffers are altruistically motivated
Despite the important roles political staffers fill in our democracy, their work is often overlooked and undervalued by the politicians and voters that they serve.
- Despite the important roles political staffers fill in our democracy, their work is often overlooked and undervalued by the politicians and voters that they serve.
- Within the halls of power, political staffers serve politicians by offering political advice, guidance and support in communications, policy, administration and parliamentary affairs.
Self-interest or civic duty?
- Or are they guided by altruism, civic duty and dedicated to working in the public interest?
- One way of answering these questions is to survey the young people who want to become political staffers: university students who study political science.
- Yet some choose to become political staffers, a career that offers fewer material benefits and substantially less job security.
Polling students
- We asked students if they were interested in going into a career as a political staffer, and why or why not they would pursue this option after university.
- Among students who are not interested in political work, most stated it was because their own interests were better served elsewhere.
- Among students who are interested in working as a political staffer, students we categorized as self-interested express personal career aspirations or a general passion for politics without explicit references to helping others or the community.
Serving the public
- Our analysis demonstrates that the vast majority of students interested in pursuing work as a political staffer are motivated by contributing to the public good.
- Many of these students expressed interest in bettering their communities and Canada more generally.
- I also want to help make change towards issues that matter for me such as environmental issues or advocating for human rights.”
“I want to be involved in working towards a better future for Canadians. - Among this group, self-interest motivations ranged from enhancing resumes to aiming for future high-paying jobs or influential positions, or, as one student bluntly wrote: “I can make a LOT of money.” At the same time, some envisioned careers as a lawyer after working on politics or even the possibility of becoming politician themselves: “After a decade or so of working as a political staffer, I intend to run for public office.”
Motivated by the public good
- But we need smart young people to undertake this work, and we also need people who are not influenced by ulterior motives to have access to the halls of power.
- Aspiring political staffers are motivated by a consistent passion for public service and contributing to a better Canada.
- Blake Lee-Whiting receives funding from the Policy, Elections, and Representation Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society at the University of Toronto.
- Lewis Krashinsky receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Fulbright Canada, and the Department of Politics at Princeton University.