Political Recruitment: Gender, Race and Class in the British Parliament - Softcover

Norris, Pippa

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521469619 ISBN 13: 9780521469616

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review

'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

Book Description

Why do some politicians succeed in moving into the highest offices of state, while others fail? 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.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521469619
• ISBN 13: 9780521469616
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336