Shifting the Calculus of Candidacy? Assessing the Impact of Hostile Political Climates on the Political Ambitions of Marginalized Groups
In many established democracies, citizens who consider entering politics face increasingly hostile political climates. How does this affect the desire to pursue a political career among groups that are underrepresented in politics?
Details
- Period: 2024-01-01 – 2024-12-31
- Budget: 4,864,000 SEK
- Funder: Swedish Research Council
Description
This project exploits the vast differences between two cases, Sweden and the US, to produce generalizable results about how a hostile political climate impacts the political ambition of broad segments of the population who are not (yet) politicians, as well as those who currently hold elected office and are weighing whether to leave, stay, or advance. Interviews with current politicians at different political levels and career stages will help the research team pinpoint dynamics of polarization and hostility, and their perceived effects. Next, large-scale surveys with both current politicians and the broader citizenry, will be fielded to study how a hostile and polarized political climate affects the desire to pursue a political career among groups that are underrepresented in politics.
Patterns of minority, youth, working-class and female underrepresentation characterize political assemblies both in Europe and in North America. This research will help identify barriers that dissuade members of underrepresented groups from being politicians. By examining how the political climate influences aspirations for political office among different groups, the project's results can ultimately contribute to new measures for a more inclusive political environment.