Political Recruitment
Gender, Race and Class in the British Parliament

This book examines the relative dearth of women, black and working-class Members of Parliament, and whether this evident social bias matters for political representation.

Pippa Norris (Author), Joni Lovenduski (Author)

9780521469616, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 24 November 1994

336 pages, 17 b/w illus. 76 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.5 kg

'Political Recruitment is likely to become the standard work of its kind, and it certainly deserves to be, for the depth of its scholarship, the comprehensive scope of its research, and the logic with which its case is reasoned.' Talking Politics

In this compelling book Pippa Norris and Joni Lovenduski provide the first full account of legislative recruitment in Britain for twenty-five years. Their central concern is how and why some politicians succeed in moving into the highest offices of state, while others fail. The book examines the relative dearth of women, black and working-class Members of Parliament, and whether the evident social bias in the British political élite matters for political representation. Legislative recruitment concerns the critical step from lower levels (activists, local counsellors) to a parliamentary career. The authors draw evidence from the first systematic surveys of parliamentary candidates, Members of Parliament and party selectors, as well as detailed personal interviews. The study explores how and why people become politicians, and the consequences for parties, legislatures and representative government.

1. Puzzles in political recruitment
Part I. Who Selects and How?: 2. The structure of political recruitment
3. Conservative recruitment
4. Labour recruitment
5. Minor party recruitment
Part II. Who Gets Selected and Why?: 6. Supply and demand explanations
7. Gatekeeper attitudes
8. Candidate resources
9. Candidate motivation
10. Comparative candidate recruitment
Part III. Does the Social Bias Matter?: 11. The values, priorities and roles of MPs
12. The personal vote
13. Reforming recruitment.

Subject Areas: Political structure & processes [JPH]