
Up the Political Ladder
Career Paths in US Politics
SAGE Publications Inc (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 27. October 1999
Book
Paperback/Softback
152 pages
978-0-7619-1427-3 (ISBN)
Description
A theory of political ambition is developed in which political actors seek to increase their territorial jurisdiction and/or the size of their electoral constituency. Ease of entry and advancement into state and national politics, however, are shown to vary markedly across the nation. Strategic considerations play an important role in career decisions. Legislators take into account whether or not they will face an incumbent, the quality of likely opponents in primaries, the cost of campaigns, the relative value of their present office versus a higher office, and looming term limits. For example, as a result of term limits on state legislators, patient, highly selective, and successful moves up the political ladder have been replaced by early exits from office and riskier challenges for higher office. Those who are too liberal or conservative for their party and state are less likely to win statewide races. Distance from the "winning state party position" serve as a key to understanding which senators are reelected and which House members enter and win Senate primaries. It also explains why those preparing for statewide races shift their positions gradually over many years to improve their odds of success.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Thousand Oaks
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
234 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7619-1427-3 (9780761914273)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
10/1999
1st Edition
SAGE Publications Inc
€129.46
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Content
The Political Ladder and Career Decision Making
Prospects for Success
The Political Landscape in the Fifty States
Selectivity in Career Decisions to Move Up
Term Limits and Their Impact on Career Choice, Turnover, and Selectivity in the States
Party Competition Over Policy
Upward Mobility and Position Shifting
A Theory of Upward Movement
Prospects for Success
The Political Landscape in the Fifty States
Selectivity in Career Decisions to Move Up
Term Limits and Their Impact on Career Choice, Turnover, and Selectivity in the States
Party Competition Over Policy
Upward Mobility and Position Shifting
A Theory of Upward Movement